Chase Fuller still can’t quite believe it.
Two years after falling short in the state semifinals — and following a regular season that ended below .500 — Fuller and Lincoln High did the unthinkable, catching fire at the right time to win the Class 5A state championship last week. Its second title in program history.
“The feeling felt crazy,” Fuller said. “I’ve won some big travel tournaments, but nothing compares to this.”
The Trojans’ postseason surge transformed a middling regular season into a championship run defined by resilience and timely execution. Fuller, Lincoln’s starting shortstop and closer, said the emotional payoff was magnified by sharing the moment with teammates who endured the ups and downs together.
“Just seeing all the other guys around me feel as much as I did, if not more, just made it even more special,” Fuller said. “I’m just proud of this team with all the work we put in, even when it was hard.”
Lincoln’s path to a title was unlikely. The Trojans entered the playoffs with little momentum but quickly flipped the switch, riding a hot streak that carried them through the bracket. For Fuller, the formula was simple — and quintessentially baseball.
“That’s all baseball is,” he said. “You get hot at the right time and don’t let people get in your ear talking bad about you.”
Chase Fuller showed by he’s Lincoln’s baseball star
Fuller played a central role in that run. A Florida State commit, he anchored the infield at shortstop and served as Lincoln’s go-to arm in high-pressure moments.
Fuller completed his junior year leading the Trojans with 32 runs and a .514 on-base percentage.
In the championship win over Winter Springs, Fuller recorded his eighth save of the season, closing the door with a fastball that he said was clocked between 95 and 97 mph — the hardest he has thrown.
Despite the stakes, Fuller said he thrives by treating the biggest moments like any other game.
“I was just slowing the game down, making sure my guys were in the right spot,” he said. “At this stage, some guys can get too fast for it. They get worried and start pressing, but I just slow it down and trust my pitches.”
The title also carried added meaning for Fuller, who viewed the postseason as a chance to deliver for Lincoln’s senior class. The Trojans finished 20-16, a record that belied their postseason dominance after finishing the regular season 11-14.
“I felt like I needed to make it up to them,” Fuller said. “I felt like I could’ve played better throughout the regular season. I just focused on the little things — putting the ball in play more, moving runners, being there for my teammates.”
He emphasized the mental grind of playoff baseball, particularly in three-game series, where momentum can swing quickly.
“You can get down very easily,” Fuller said. “Just keeping everybody up — honestly, I felt like this was the cherry on top to win it all after three years of not getting it done.”
Chase Fuller’s plans for the offseason
Fuller’s breakthrough season has also elevated his profile heading into a busy summer. He plans to compete in multiple showcase events, including with the USA Prime/Detroit Tigers national scout team, as he continues to draw attention from professional scouts.
Perfect Game has Fuller as the No. 2 overall player nationally in the 2027 class.
While he remains committed to Florida State, Fuller acknowledged the possibility of entering the MLB draft if his stock continues to rise.
“You can go off this summer, have a good high school year and be a first-round pick,” he said. “It’s a crazy feeling.”
Chase Fuller ready to win another state title
For now, though, the focus is already shifting forward. With key pieces expected to return, Fuller believes Lincoln has the foundation to contend for another title in his senior season.
“I’m going to miss those guys, but I feel like we can make a run next year,” he said. “It’s great to celebrate, but you can’t celebrate for too long because people are going to start to pass you.”
That mindset reflects a program eager to build on a rare accomplishment. State championships have been hard to come by in Tallahassee, particularly in baseball, making Lincoln’s run resonate beyond the roster.
“It’s not common for teams to win state in any sport in Tallahassee, but we did it,” Fuller said. “It’s just a surreal feeling for the community.”
And while the celebration may linger, Fuller’s perspective is already clear: the improbable has been achieved — and now the expectation is to do it again.
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: Chase Fuller wants 2027 Lincoln baseball title before he goes to FSU
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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