Spring arriving in the Big Bend means warmer temperatures, more sun, and most importantly, the return of softball.

With Big Bend prep programs back on the diamond for the 2024 softball season, some of the area's top players are already making waves in the opening weeks of play.

As teams begin preparations for a run towards the state championships in Clermont come the end of May, who are some of the programs and players that could be the difference makers in a title run?

Let's dive into storylines and players to watch this season!

Three Storylines to follow this season

Can Wakulla get back to the state title game

The War Eagles were arguably the story of the year last season, making a run to the 4A State Championship game after going 20-7, losing the final game of the year to Lake Wales.

What stood out most about Wakulla's run was its roster, filled with sophomores and freshmen, the War Eagles were playing softball years ahead of what most people would have expected.

With the entire roster returning for their junior season and adding more young talent to the team, the War Eagles could be prepped to make a run back to Clermont and compete for the state championship.

Returning the All-Big Bend Pitcher of the Year and Auburn commit Charley Butler, Wakulla's pitching could be the catalyst for another run.

Playing a competitive schedule, the War Eagles are not shying from state title-caliber teams in the regular season.

Florida High's new look

The Seminoles are coming off a run to the 3A regional semifinals, falling to Episcipoal School of Jacksonville and ending the year 18-6.

Things look different for Florida High this year, former head coach Brittany Gilliam took an assistant coaching role at Rollins College in the off-season, with Emma Alley stepping into the head coaching role for the Seminoles.

Players like Maddie Mayo and Jaysoni Beachum are now tearing it up on the college diamond, the Seminoles will look to the returning talent from last season's roster to step up this year.

Senior Dillyn Suggs could step up into the leading role for Florida High, and a good year from her could propel the team into a similar position it was in last year.

Area teams that could surprise

There are always a couple of teams that make everyone ask "How did we not see this coming?"

While this isn't a prophecy statement, there are some area teams that could surprise fans.

One team to keep an eye on is Leon. The Lions were mostly a team filled with freshman and sophomores last season, and with a year of development under their belt, it could be a big season for the program.

Taylor County is primed to make some noise this year, coming off a 13-10 finish last season, the Bulldogs are set up for a big season. With much of its roster returning from last season, Taylor County is a team to watch in 3A as it could make some major noise.

Madison County is the final team to watch. The Cowgirls went 9-16 last season, and heading into the new year the program's young roster seems ready to make a leap. A historically good team, Madison County should be back at its best this year.

Players to watch in 2024

Charley Butler, Jr., Wakulla, 2023 stats: 0.98 ERA, 20-6, 164 IP, 72 H, 55 R, 85 BB, 288 K. All-Big Bend Pitcher of the Year.

Kaylee Walker, Jr., Wakulla, 2023 stats: 341 AVG, 95 PA, 82 AB, 15 R, 28 H, 28 RBI, 6 2B, 7 HR

Makenzie Marlow, So., Wakulla, 2023 stats: .392 AVG, 101 PA, 79 AB, 29 R, 31 H, 18 RBI, 7 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR

Logan Bass, So., Madison County, 2023 stats: .371 AVG, 86 PA, 70 AB, 18 R, 26 H, 14 RBI, 9 2B, 2 HR

Josie Driggers, Sr., Madison County, 2023 stats: Pitching: 3.55 AVG, 7-10, 114.1 IP, 99 H, 78 R, 76 BB, 182 K. Batting: .314 AVG, 87 PA, 70 AB, 21 R, 22 H, 9 RBI, 6 2B, 2 3B.

Kiersten Carter, Jr., Taylor County, 2023 stats: 373 ERA, 73 PA, 67 AB, 15 R, 25 H, 12 RBI, 9 2B, 1 HR

Hannah Shiver, Sr., Taylor County, 2023 stats: Pitching: 2.75 ERA, 7-2, 79 IP, 53 H, 41 R, 47 BB, 129 K. Batting: .432 AVG, 60 PA, 44 AB, 19 R, 19 H, 10 RBI, 4 HR.

Olivia Hernandez, Sr., Lincoln, 2023 stats: 325 AVG, 94 PA, 77 AB, 16 R, 25 H, 14 RBI, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR

Lanie Woodson, So., Lincoln, 2023 stats: .333 AVG, 92 PA, 81 AB, 15 R, 27 H, 22 RBI, 1 2B, 2 HR

Dillyn Suggs, Sr., Florida High, 2023 stats: .333 AVG, 74 PA, 63 AB, 13 R, 21 H, 19 RBI, 5 2B, 6 HR

Kennedy Howard, Sr., North Florida Christian, 2023 stats: .324 AVG, 81 PA, 78 AB, 26 R, 23 H, 20 RBI, 2 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR

Skylar Young, So., North Florida Christian, 2023 stats: 4.31 ERA, 8-4, 99 IP, 98 H, 94 R, 40 BB, 113 K

Emma Vickers, Sr., Aucilla Christian, 2023 stats: 13-7, 1.75 ERA, 121 IP, 135 K, 95 H, 68 R, 31 ER, 44 BB

Adelyn Matthews, Jr., Chiles, 2023 stats: .592 AVG, 84 PA, 71 AB, 31 R, 42 H, 15 RBI, 7 2B, 4 3B, 36 SB

Jordae' Nance, Sr., Leon, 2023 stats: .377 AVG, 66 PA, 61 AB, 20 R, 23 H, 14 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Who are the top teams, players to watch in the 2024 season