Lincoln High is headed back to the state semifinals, using a decisive fifth-inning surge to defeat Niceville 9-2 on Sunday and capture the Class 5A regional title.
The Trojans (18-16) broke open a one-run game with seven runs in the fifth inning of the decisive Game 3, clinching their third consecutive trip to the Final Four in Fort Myers.
Lincoln set the tone early in the series with an 8-4 win in Game 1 on Friday. After weather delays pushed the deciding game to Sunday. Niceville forced a winner-take-all finale with a 9-1 victory. The Trojans delivered when it mattered most.
Trailing 2-1, Lincoln erupted in the fifth behind a three-run home run from Florida State recruit Chase Fuller. The Trojans finished with eight hits and capitalized on timely at-bats to pull away. Jacob Rabion became the winning pitcher, finishing with four strikeouts and allowing two earned runs and a walk in seven innings.
“I’m extremely proud of the team. For holding it together throughout the season and continuing to battle and fight each game they had the opportunity to compete in,” Gauger said to the Tallahassee Democrat.
“Driving to Niceville and back two times to play three games against a great Niceville team was a tough task, but they continued to fight and compete and rose to the occasion in game three with some timely hitting and a great pitching performance from Jacob Rabion. I couldn’t be prouder of a group of kids, and we are thankful for the opportunity to head down to Fort Myers.”
Lincoln advances to face Mater Academy Charter in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Monday in Fort Myers. The winner will meet either Winter Springs or Charlotte in the championship game at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lincoln Trojans outlast Niceville, reach third straight FHSAA Final 4
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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