TRENTON — A rematch of last year’s state championship game went to the runner-up Saturday night.
Branford scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead before holding on for a 9-6 road win over Trenton in the first of two meetings over a four-day span. Morgan Brennan, Ellie Frierson and Cloey Criggall all went 2 for 4, with Brennan and Frierson driving in two runs apiece while Criggall and Frierson each scored twice.
Payten Bates also scored two runs and recorded an RBI. Hunter Revis had an RBI as well for the Buccaneers (10-4).
Laila Arnold pitched a complete game, striking out 10 while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and a pair of walks. She outdueled Addison Allaire, who struck out 11 and was charged with four earned runs on nine hits and two walks for the Tigers (6-2).
The teams meet again in Branford on Tuesday.
BASEBALL
— Suwannee 6, North Florida Christian 1: The Bulldogs (10-6) used a four-run second inning to break a 1-1 tie and rolled to victory over the Eagles (6-10) on the road Saturday afternoon. Jace Moran went 2 for 4 with two RBIs while Colton Rogers, Koy Frier, Grayson Bonds and Hampton Newman each drove in a run for SHS. Gabe Garcia pitched five innings for the win, allowing an earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out five.