Sports

Columbia right fielder Max Schuler can’t catch up to a fly ball, which landed for a 2-RBI triple during an 11-0 loss to North Florida Christian on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Max Schuler can’t catch up to a fly ball, which landed for a 2-RBI triple during an 11-0 loss to North Florida Christian on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: NFC jumps on McKenzie early, run-rules Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Trayce McKenzie’s arm is still a work in progress. That was clear in his second start of the season following an offseason elbow injury. Class 2A No.
Columbia pitcher Josie Raulerson pitches against Buchholz on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Josie Raulerson pitches against Buchholz on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 4/15/24

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 15, 2024
BASEBALL — IMG Academy Black 11, Columbia 8: The Tigers (10-10) battled back from a 5-run deficit to take an 8-7 lead, but the Ascenders (16-4) scored two runs in the fifth inning and two in the sixth to snap the Tigers’ 4-game winning streak on their Senior Night.
Columbia catcher Casen Maddox celebrates at second base next to Bishop Kenny second baseman Troy Ancayan after hitting a go-ahead 2-RBI double in the sixth inning of Friday’s 8-7 win. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Casen Maddox celebrates at second base next to Bishop Kenny second baseman Troy Ancayan after hitting a go-ahead 2-RBI double in the sixth inning of Friday’s 8-7 win. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia rallies again, knocks off 4A No. 4 Bishop Kenny for fourth straight win

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 12, 2024
Columbia has had an affinity for dramatic finishes in the past week. Friday night was no different against Bishop Kenny. Ayden Phillips struck out Andrew McWilliams for what should’ve been the final out of the game, but catcher Casen Maddox couldn’t hold on to the pitch.
Branford coach Oscar Saavedra celebrates with Cloey Criggall after she scored the game-winning run against Bell on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford coach Oscar Saavedra celebrates with Cloey Criggall after she scored the game-winning run against Bell on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford walks off Bell in extras on Saavedra's big night

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 12, 2024
BRANFORD — Through five innings Friday, Alex Whitfield and the rest of the Buccaneers lineup looked to be tuning up for a postseason run. A sixth-inning rally from visiting Bell forced Branford to focus on the present again.
Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens can’t reach a Gainesville home run as it flies over the fence on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens can’t reach a Gainesville home run as it flies over the fence on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Two home runs enough for Gainesville to top Suwannee

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, April 12, 2024
LIVE OAK — Playing with a hobbled knee, Suwannee’s pitcher Gracie Watley displayed the type of gutsy performance that would win the majority of games for the Bulldogs. On Friday, the effort was against Gainesville, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A.
Columbia pitcher Kinley King winds up to pitch against Lafayette on March 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Kinley King winds up to pitch against Lafayette on March 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 4/12/24

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 12, 2024
BASEBALL — Taylor County 1, Suwannee 0: The Bulldogs (11-6-1) were held to just two hits as they fell to TCHS (7-7) on the road, snapping a five-game win streak.
Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex makes a catch for an out against Trenton on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex makes a catch for an out against Trenton on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 4/11/24

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 11, 2024
SOFTBALL — Williston 6, Columbia 5: The Tigers (9-8) let a 5-3 lead slip away in the seventh inning and they fell to the Class 1A No. 7 Red Devils (12-10) on the road for the second time this season.
Fort White seniors Carly Caines (from left), N'Coreyia Atkins and Gracie Clemons pose ahead of Thursday's game against Dixie County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White seniors Carly Caines (from left), N'Coreyia Atkins and Gracie Clemons pose ahead of Thursday's game against Dixie County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Senior trio leads Fort White to run-rule win over Dixie County on Senior Night

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 11, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White scored early and often Thursday against visiting Dixie County. Perhaps too often. The Class 1A No. 3 Indians recorded a 10-run second inning before polishing off a 15-0 run-rule win over the Bears in just three innings of work on Senior Night.
Suwannee’s flag football team poses with the District 3-1A championship trophy after defeating Columbia 6-0 on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s flag football team poses with the District 3-1A championship trophy after defeating Columbia 6-0 on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FLAG FOOTBALL: Suwannee holds to beat Columbia for District 3-1A title

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
LIVE OAK — With Columbia successfully shutting down playmaking receiver Hannah Humphries, Suwannee turned to Jessica Tran. The junior quarterback answered the call, leading the Bulldogs with 78 rushing yards on 17 carries, including her 20-yard scramble for a late first-quarter score.