There are some questions entering the 2025 season, namely what softball can do.

A Patriots’ state championship at Bartow just won some household names like Jayden Heavener, Shelby McKenzie and Mallory Baker graduated with a four-game finalist.

"I think some of these people said to people: 'We lost the studs in the past few years.' "We still have some studs - obviously, we have more." ”

Now my classmates have this person privately. A year ago, six of the seven seniors Pace currently has are part of the national championship team.

After a 1-6A title title against Naval earlier this season, the Patriots have another message to prove. They still belong to the best in the state.

They should return to the Final Four for the fifth consecutive year.

Now, in three straight games - recently defeated Naval again 4-0, but this time in the 1-6A final - Pace returns to Central Florida.

It is possible to defend its 6A crown.

"I feel like it's a tradition. It means a lot because we're moving forward for them," Lana Gonzales said. "I know they're proud of us. Everyone is proud of us. But we're continuing the legacy."

“A lot of people don’t think we can do this year. But we keep telling them, ‘Don’t just shoot for the region. Every game played is like your last game.’ These girls don’t like it in the last three games. “Last seniors – shooting in the last four years – all the players who left have set such a high bar for the program. …Last seniors – shooting, the last four years – all players leaving have set such high standards for the program. ”

Alexander pointed out that this trip to the playoffs is very different. Over the past two years, the Patriots have played Niceville, Oviedo and Hagerty in the regional championships, although both times in different orders.

Pace defeated Fletcher, Oakleaf and Navarre in this year's regional championship. It is also somewhat rare for the Patriots to face local teams in the region’s finals. Local enemies usually only come to town in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.

The regional champion is the fourth car and Naval battle throughout the season.

"It only proves what[Navar]is doing. They had to travel twice and eventually had to go down the road to play us in the finals," Alexander said. "We had to play them four times this year. Fortunately, we beat them four times. But, they fought us four times, which is for sure."

“But we know we can do it,” added senior Abby McLean.

As expected, it was a different team. Gonzales pointed to the intimacy of the team, creating sisterhood among the players.

It's a healthy balance for the Patriots' veterans and newcomers who influence Patriots. Sophomore pitcher Hannah DeMarcus threw a goal in the regional championship game, earning an astonishing 393 strikeouts over the year with a .30 ERA (13 runs, seven runs).

Offensively, Gonzalez (.420) and McLean (.415) had two high batting averages, followed by sophomore Gracie Ueberroth (.385). McLean and Ueberroth have had 13 home runs this year.

Two juniors, Britten Kettler and Kamryn Pierce, also scored four home runs.

"We've been hanging out all the time. Before the game, we have rituals. We all lift each other up," Gonzalez said. "Even this morning, we got up at 6:30 a.m. and sent videos like, 'This is GameDay!' By the end of the season, it's definitely hard to separate."

Even the coaching staff has different approaches. Alexander missed the first half of the season during maternity leave and played only one year. The assistant coach took over.

And, obviously, the team didn't miss any rhythm.

"It only shows the coaching staff behind me. Every coach has to do what they want to do. No one has a direct role," Alexander said. "We have a really good job with each other. When I'm not practicing, I know the girls are good and the coach is good."

The trip will end in a different way, too. The FHSAA has made changes this season, with the All-State Final Four at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park north of Orlando. In about 45 minutes northeast of Clermont, the championship is in recent years.

But this does not change the speed setting. It just allows the team to leave more memories along the way.

“We keep new memories while remembering old memories,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes it just pops up, ‘Oh, I remember when I did it.’”

“In general, we’ll have a great time,” McLean said. “When we get there, it’s worth it.”