Buchholz baseball will get a third chance Saturday.
A third chance to prove, for the first time in school history, this legendary program can call themselves the best in Florida.
The Bobcats will play in the FHSAA Class 6A State Championship at 2 p.m. at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Their opponent will be one of familiarity – the powerhouse of all powerhouses – St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Raiders scored six runs in the first two innings of last season’s title game over Buchholz to win the crown 8-3. This BHS team, one that was 2-4 in mid-February, has a different feel, though.
The Bobcats won two dramatic late-night games at Pace in the region final and then defeated an equally never say die team in Martin County 3-2 in nine innings in Friday’s state semifinal.
Aquinas had a little bit more of a comfortable time with a 4-1 victory over Land O’ Lakes.
The Division I talent on the field will be impressive. The Bobcats, of course, have multiple prospects like Dion Wilburn and Aidan Kastensmidt (Jacksonville), Reed Thomas (FGCU) and Drew Almond (Stetson).
STA, meanwhile, has Brady Buxbaum (USF) and Nico Sabatino (Appalachian State).
Follow here for live updates from Lee County.
Buchholz baseball vs St Thomas Aquinas FHSAA Class 6A State Championship live updates
STA adds two huge runs | T7
Buchholz will need a miracle to avoid losing its third consecutive state championship. Bobcats trail 5-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Another scoreless inning for Buchholz | B6
Buchholz once again puts the leadoff runner on base, but the Bobcats once again can’t capitalize. It’s still a 3-1 STA lead into the seventh inning.
Raiders add another run | T6
St Thomas Aquinas, or more so Mauricio Clement, continues to do just enough over the Bobcats. With a runner on third, he hits a single between center and right. It drops, and the Raiders take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Missed opportunity for Buchholz | B5
Bobcats had runners on first and second with no outs, but Zac Brown hits a deep fly ball that is caught in left. Antonie Deleyrolle is caught trying to tag from first, and Roen Kresak flies out to end the inning. Tough for Buchholz, who trail 2-1 through five.
Aquinas holds the lead | T5
Buchholz puts a runner on second in the bottom of the fourth, but back-to-back outs end the inning. Raiders go down in the top of the fifth, though, and it’s still 2-1 Raiders.
St Thomas Aquinas responds | T4
Raiders put runners on second and third, and with two outs, Mauricio Clement hits a fly ball to center that’s just out of reach for Angel Irizarry. Raiders score both runs and lead 2-1 through the top of the fourth.
Buchholz baseball takes the lead | B3
Tyler Thurmond walks to begin the inning. Ashton Norris comes in to pinch run, and he scores from second on a single from Roen Kresak. Buchholz takes a 1-0 lead over the Raiders.
Still scoreless through two | B2
Buchholz goes down in order, but St Thomas Aquinas didn’t score in the top half of the inning. 0-0 through two.
One hit combined through one | B1
Buchholz gets through some first inning jitters as Reed Thomas retires the side in order. Blake Brewer gets a hit for Buchholz, but that’s it. Tied 0-0 after 1.
Buchholz baseball vs St Thomas Aquinas FHSAA Class 6A State Championship starting lineups
Buchholz
Reed Thomas is the starting pitcher.
St Thomas Aquinas
Joseph Hendren is the starting pitcher.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz baseball vs St Thomas Aquinas FHSAA Class 6A Championship live updates
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
