The Florida High School Athletic Association concludes baseball regional playoffs across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Third-round high school baseball playoffs use a best-of-3 format. Usually, the first game is Friday, May 8, followed by a second and (if necessary) third game on Saturday, May 9. However, weather could alter game schedules. The superior seed serves as host for all three games.
Times noted are for May 8 games. All schedules are as listed by the FHSAA, but are subject to change.
REGION 1-4A
Clay (17-13) at Choctawhatchee (24-5), 7 p.m.
Through three regional games, Clay has allowed two total hits, courtesy of dominant performances from pitchers Rylan McMahan and Ethan Mathis. The batting order has gotten the job done, too, with big night from future Gator McMahan. Choctaw’s depth at the plate is solid, with Jake Marracco, Isaiah Rohn, John Brown, Seth Young and Jordan Figueroa all above .350. The winner advances to a May 19 state semifinal in Fort Myers against an opponent to be determined based on the FHSAA’s rating formula.
REGION 1-3A
Suwannee (19-12) at South Walton (26-4), Game 1 4 p.m., Game 2 7 p.m.
These schools have scheduled both Game 1 and Game 2 as a Friday doubleheader, with Game 3 Saturday if necessary. South Walton enters at No. 12 in the country, and there’s one big reason: Coleman Borthwick. The Auburn commit has more homers himself (nine) than hits allowed all year (seven in 53 2/3 innings), crushing the ball at the plate (.472, 14 2B, 32 RBI) and steamrolling batters on the mound (8-0, 0.13 ERA, 5 BB, 97 K, one run allowed all year). Suwannee needs near perfection. Bulldogs Gabe Garcia and Kyler Watson pitched well in the regional semis. The winner progresses to a May 13 state semifinal in Fort Myers.
REGION 1-2A
Bishop Snyder (22-6) at Trinity Christian (23-7), 7 p.m.
They don’t come much bigger than this. Three weeks after the Conquerors won an 11-10, 13-inning classic in the district final, teams with more than a dozen combined Division I prospects face off again on The Hill. Watch for the home run balls: Trinity’s Jordan Martinez whacked three Conqueror homers in Game 2 of the regional series against Ocala Trinity Catholic, and Bishop Snyder’s Cole Dennis has gone deep six times in the last five games, with 11 on the year. Players with four or more home runs are Dennis, Ilias Mamea and Landis Pickett for the Cardinals, and Martinez, Parker Loew, Chris Reali and Ethan Wheeler for Trinity. The winner goes to Fort Myers for a May 18 state semifinal.
REGION 1-1A
Tallahassee St. John Paul II (18-8) at St. Johns Country Day (22-8), 7 p.m.
When postseason hits, Brayden Harris is at his best for St. Johns. His season stats: .389, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 9-2, 1.14 ERA 135 K and an 0.802 WHIP. Even when Harris isn’t at bat, Hunter Rodgers, Mason Jones, Kaeson Johns, Preston Cole and Madden Williams are just some of the Spartans who can clear the fence. Jason Cantella (.410, 5 2B) and Wyatt Cantella (.370, 7 2B) are among the top hitters for the Panthers. The winner would play an early state semifinal on May 14.
REGION 3-RURAL
Mayo Lafayette (16-10) at Union County (20-7), 7 p.m.
Season sweep time? Union County has already stung the Hornets twice, 9-2 in the regular season and 5-2 in districts, getting wins from Brady Tetstone in both games and an Erick Lasseter homer in the earlier meeting. Lafayette had to overcome a five-run deficit against Aucilla Christian to get here, and they have long-ball threats Trevor Byrd, Kagan Hewett and Garrett Taylor. The winner progresses to the Rural semifinals in Fort Myers on May 13.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Who’s moving on? Bishop Snyder-Trinity Christian heads baseball finals
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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