For the second year in a row, Buchholz baseball made it to the game that mattered. The one that every Class 6A baseball team in Florida strives to reach.
For the second year in a row, the Bobcats will return to Gainesville with a trophy.
But, for the second year in a row, that trophy will read “Class 6A runner-up.”
Buchholz fell in the FHSAA Class 6A state championship game 8-3 to St. Thomas Aquinas at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
The Raiders’ lethal offense, which had registered 80 doubles and 68 home runs entering Saturday, wasted no time striking fear into the Bobcats heart. Led by UCF commit Zack Malvasio, whose 16 home runs rank second in the country and first in Florida, and USF commit Andrew Alvarez, whose 13 home runs rank second in Florida, the Raiders plated three in the first. This knocked ace Aidan Kastensmidt out of the game.
JJ Gardner’s two-run homer in the bottom of the frame gave Buchholz hope, but St. Thomas Aquinas put another three on the board in the second. Coach Ron Brooks was forced to go to the bullpen again, replacing Cohen Lafler with Dion Wilburn.
From then on, BHS stopped the bleeding for the most part. But it is too little, too late. Aquinas has struggled with pitching, which contributed to their six losses in 2025, but that wasn’t the case Saturday. Johnny Lopez held the ‘Cats in check with three runs allowed over five innings.
The Bobcats’ seven seniors will leave the program after its greatest four-year era with three region finals and two state finals appearances. However, Buchholz fell short of its ultimate goal for the second year in a row.
The last school from Gainesville to win a title in a “major sport” (football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball) was GHS softball in 2016.
Buchholz baseball vs. St. Thomas Aquinas FHSAA Class 6A championship live updates
St. Thomas adds one more
The Raiders make it 8-3 as back-to-back wild pitches from Reed Thomas allow a run to cross. Thomas replaced Wilburn after STA put runners on first and second with one out. Thomas kept the damage at that as Aquinas stranded a runner on third.
Bobcats go down 1-2-3
Not the inning that Buchholz wanted or needed. Bobcats bottom half of the lineup goes down in order. Bobcats are down to their final three outs and trail Aquinas 7-3 into the top of the 7th.
Wilburn shuts down the Raiders again
Wilburn does what he needs to do and allows no Raiders to cross. He’s settled in very nicely, and STA hasn’t scored since the third inning.
Buchholz scores one run but no more
Two hits, including an RBI single from Blake Brewer, put a run on the board by Buchholz. However, Aidan Kastensmidt flies out with two outs keeping the lead at 7-3.
1-2-3 inning for Buchholz
First inning STA doesn’t get a hit. Now Buchholz needs the offense to score some runs with nine outs left.
Bobcats can’t take advantage of good start
Buchholz puts Blake Brewer on second and Aidan Kastensmidt on first after a single and a walk. However, the bottom of the ‘Cats order can’t lend a hand as Zac Brown struck out, Hudson Sapp flied out and Tyler Thurmond popped out.
Buchholz finally keeps Aquinas scoreless
Cole Lasher doubled for STA with two outs and moved to third on a wild pitch, but Wilburn got Jaden Doverspike to strike out and the Bobcats finally held the Raiders scoreless. 7-2 into the bottom of the fourth.
Bobcats scoreless again
JJ Gardner gets his second hit of the game, but Buchholz can’t score any more runs. Another scoreless inning for BHS, which trails 7-2 through three.
Buchholz allows Raiders to score one
After it appeared the Bobcats finally curtailed the Raiders, St. Thomas finds a way to plate one run as Zach Malvasio — a UCF commit who leads Florida with 16 home runs — singles home Pangallo from second. Raiders lead 7-2 into the bottom of the third.
Bobcats go down in order
In a game where runs are crucial, Buchholz suffers a tough 1-2-3 inning. Hudson Sapp nearly hit it out, but Sabatino robbed him of a home run. 6-2 STA after two innings.
St. Thomas Aquinas just keeps hitting
CJ Pangallo and Nico Sabatino begin the second with back-to-back singles, and Johnny Lopez finishes off the damage with an RBI double, scoring both to make it 5-2 Raiders. An RBI single from Josh Jennings makes it 6-2, and Brooks is forced to make another move to the bullpen as Dion Wilburn replaces Lafler.
Buchholz baseball gets back two
The Bobcats make this a ballgame as JJ Gardner blasts one 103 MPH off the bat and over the left-center wall. The home run scores Kai So after he drew a leadoff walk, and BHS cuts the Aquinas lead to 3-2 after the first inning. Lafler remains on the mound for Buchholz to begin the second.
Raiders beat up Bobcats in first inning
After Aidan Kastensmidt got the first out for Buchholz, the Raiders began scorching. STA put runners on first and third, and Brady Buxbaum delivered with an RBI double. Josh Jennings grounded out to make it 2-0, and Andrew Alvarez (who ranks second in Florida in home runs) singled one in to make it 3-0. Ron Brooks was forced to turn to the bullpen and bring in Cohen Lafler, who recorded the final out.
Buchholz baseball vs. St. Thomas Aquinas FHSAA Class 6A championship start time
First pitch from Hammond Stadium, spring training home of the Minnesota Twins, is set for 2 p.m.
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 by email at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz baseball vs. St. Thomas Aquinas: Bobcats fall behind early, end as runner-up for second straight year
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
