Sports

Columbia pitcher Harleigh Price gets some encouragement from teammate Alex Collins (14) as Gainesville’s Braylin Cook makes her way around the bases after a home run during Tuesday’s District 2-5A semifinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Harleigh Price gets some encouragement from teammate Alex Collins (14) as Gainesville’s Braylin Cook makes her way around the bases after a home run during Tuesday’s District 2-5A semifinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Gainesville tops Columbia behind 4 HRs in District 2-5A semifinals

GAINESVILLE — The fence in dead-center field at Gainesville High School is 224 feet from home plate. GHS catcher Braylin Cook made the case Tuesday to potentially extend that out further.
Columbia right fielder Max Schuler (right) celebrates as center fielder Bynton Edge (7) slides safely into home plate for an inside the park home run against Gainesville during Tuesday’s District 2-5A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Max Schuler (right) celebrates as center fielder Bynton Edge (7) slides safely into home plate for an inside the park home run against Gainesville during Tuesday’s District 2-5A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia run-rules Gainesville to set up rematch with Lincoln in District 2-5A championship

There were no surprises in Tuesday’s District 2-5A semifinal between Columbia and Gainesville. The Tigers went out and took care of business, setting up a showdown in Thursday’s district championship.
Teammates surround Mallory Blue after the Branford first baseman homered during Monday's District 6-1A quarterfinals against Lafayette. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Teammates surround Mallory Blue after the Branford first baseman homered during Monday's District 6-1A quarterfinals against Lafayette. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White, Branford advance for district title matchup again

BRANFORD — Exactly two months have elapsed since Fort White handed Branford two lopsided losses — 9-3 and 12-5 — on consecutive days in a home-and-home series. Now the two teams will meet again for an intriguing third matchup, this time the District 6-1A title will be on the line.
Suwannee’s Rachel Smith slides safely into home plate to score a run against Taylor County during Tuesday’s District 2-3A semifinal. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Rachel Smith slides safely into home plate to score a run against Taylor County during Tuesday’s District 2-3A semifinal. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Suwannee softball, Lafayette baseball advance to district championships

Suwannee’s softball team scored a run in the fourth and another in the fifth before holding off Taylor County for a 3-2 win in the District 2-3A semifinals at home Tuesday night. The No. 2 seed Bulldogs will next host No. 4 seed Florida High in the district championship at 7 p.m. on Thursday.