Sports

Columbia designated hitter Kyler Keen yells at courtesy runner Nolan Martin to slide as he scores during the Tigers' 10-run sixth inning against Fleming Island on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia designated hitter Kyler Keen yells at courtesy runner Nolan Martin to slide as he scores during the Tigers' 10-run sixth inning against Fleming Island on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia erupts for 10-run sixth inning to rally past Fleming Island

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, March 6, 2026
It took another late-game pep talk, this time from Columbia assistant coach Blake King. It finally woke up the Tigers’ bats in the sixth inning, and they also got some help to turn a comeback into a blowout.
Columbia assistant coach Blake King high fives second baseman Madden Mann in the dugout after Mann scored the go-ahead run against Forest on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia assistant coach Blake King high fives second baseman Madden Mann in the dugout after Mann scored the go-ahead run against Forest on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia rallies, then holds on to beat Forest

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Weston Thomas’ relief appearance didn’t start too well. After entering the game with the bases loaded with only one out, the junior right-hander walked Forest shortstop Ryan Cushenberry on five pitches to bring in a run, putting the tying run at second base.
Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against Newberry on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against Newberry on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Slaymaker leads Columbia past Newberry

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Columbia coach Chris Howard had a talk with pitcher Nolan Slaymaker ahead of Tuesday’s start against Newberry. The message? Control your emotions. Slaymaker did, and he pitched one of his best games of his young high school career.
Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor (left) and Santa Fe catcher Ainslea Kelsoe react to a safe call from the umpire during the Tigers' 13-2 loss Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor (left) and Santa Fe catcher Ainslea Kelsoe react to a safe call from the umpire during the Tigers' 13-2 loss Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia gets run-ruled by undefeated Santa Fe

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Things were off for Columbia even before the first pitch Tuesday night. The game only got further away from them after that.
Columbia center Terrance Tolbert tries to find an opening to shoot while defended by Fleming Island guard Ayden Greenidge (21) and center Jalil Hill (11) during the Region 1-5A finals on Saturday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center Terrance Tolbert tries to find an opening to shoot while defended by Fleming Island guard Ayden Greenidge (21) and center Jalil Hill (11) during the Region 1-5A finals on Saturday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fleming Island pulls away from Columbia in second half to win Region 1-5A title

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, February 28, 2026
FLEMING ISLAND — A poor finish to the second quarter sent Columbia into halftime down six. Then in the third, the Tigers’ season was pressed into extinction. Top-seeded Fleming Island wore down No.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado smiles running to third base after hitting a solo home run against Bronson on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado smiles running to third base after hitting a solo home run against Bronson on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia rides pair of homers, Stone's arm to shutout over Bronson

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 26, 2026
It took Columbia’s bats a bit to wake up. But once they did, Bronson didn’t stand a chance. Emily Delgado and Luisa Taylor both homered while Ryleigh Stone was solid in the circle in her second start to lead the Tigers to a 9-0 win over the Eagles at home Thursday night.
Columbia second baseman Goose Lord swings and misses at a pitch against Providence in the sixth inning Tuesday night. He struck out with the bases loaded. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Goose Lord swings and misses at a pitch against Providence in the sixth inning Tuesday night. He struck out with the bases loaded. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia comes up short against Providence

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The game was there for the taking. Down two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Columbia had the bases loaded with only one out. Providence School relief pitcher Tanner Eckert was rattled too, throwing two straight balls to Case Bennett after allowing a single and two walks.