The fans’ pick

SS Vanessa Alexander, Sr., Academy at the Lakes

Vanessa Alexander is the only holdover from the 2019 team that won the school’s second straight state title. 

In fact, Alexander is the only senior on this year’s team. 

Her experience has been valuable, especially with a roster that includes nine freshmen, an eighth-grader and a sixth-grader. 

Alexander is third on the team in batting average (.330) and in RBIs (nine). More importantly, she has been a big reason for the Wildcats turnaround from last year when they went 3-5 during a shortened rebuilding season.

Academy at the Lakes has won eight straight and is 10-1.

Last week, Alexander did her part, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hernando Christian. 

Fans were impressed. Alexander received 41 percent of the votes (18,553) to beat out Berkeley Prep’s Gracie Murphy, who had 25 percent (11,467 votes). 

The PTP pick

P Gracie Murphy, Fr., Berkeley Prep: Helped power the Buccaneers’ offense by hitting a double, a homer and finishing with four RBIs in a win over Tampa Catholic.