Sports

Columbia won the Raider Invitational in Alachua on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia won the Raider Invitational in Alachua on Saturday. (COURTESY)

VARSITY WEEKLY: Columbia wins Raider Invitational

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Stellar pitching and a freshman’s hot bat led Columbia’s softball team to victory over the weekend. Ryleigh Stone and Kinley King combined to strike out 31 batters in 22 innings and only walked nine, while shortstop Alannah Lord hit .
Branford pinch runner Payton Bates scores the tying run as Suwannee's Felicity May chases the ball on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford pinch runner Payton Bates scores the tying run as Suwannee's Felicity May chases the ball on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford downs Suwannee in extras

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, March 9, 2026
LIVE OAK — The first half of Monday’s inter-county rivalry featured a pitching duel, while the back half featured drama, lead changes and an extra-innings finale.
New Branford coach Will Dettor (white shirt) is pictured with his new team. (COURTESY)

New Branford coach Will Dettor (white shirt) is pictured with his new team. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Dettor takes the reins at Branford

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 9, 2026
BRANFORD — Branford found just what it was looking for in a new football coach in Will Dettor. Dettor also found what he believes is a perfect fit with the Buccaneers.
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.