PREP SPORTS: Biggest takeaways from the first set of baseball, softball FHSAA rankings

Columbia third baseman Ayden Phillips (right) heads to home plate after being congratulated by head coach Chris Howard following a home run against St. Augustine on Tuesday night. The game was postponed in the fourth with the Tigers leading 10-2 due to the lights in the outfield going out. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)
Columbia third baseman Ayden Phillips (right) heads to home plate after being congratulated by head coach Chris Howard following a home run against St. Augustine on Tuesday night. The game was postponed in the fourth with the Tigers leading 10-2 due to the lights in the outfield going out. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

When the FHSAA released the first set of playoff rankings Tuesday, Columbia baseball coach Chris Howard was admittedly surprised.

Sitting there in the No. 7 seed in Region 1-5A despite a 5-7 start were…