Sports

Branford pitcher Laila Arnold is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (STUDIO 386 PHOTOGRAPHY)

Branford pitcher Laila Arnold is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (STUDIO 386 PHOTOGRAPHY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Branford pitcher Laila Arnold named LCR's Softball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, June 10, 2023
BRANFORD — Laila Arnold doesn’t recall who exactly she was listening to. With headphones blocking any outside noise, the Buccaneers’ ace stood patiently in the drizzling rain in Clermont ahead of play resuming in the state championship game. She wasn’t listening to music.
Florida's BT Riopelle celebrates his solo home run against South Carolina during the sixth inning of Friday's super regional opener in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Florida's BT Riopelle celebrates his solo home run against South Carolina during the sixth inning of Friday's super regional opener in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Riopelle's clutch HR run leads Florida to win over South Carolina in Super Regional opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, June 9, 2023
GAINESVILLE — BT Riopelle hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning and Florida got two other home runs in a 5-4 victory over South Carolina on Friday in the weather-delayed opening game of the Gainesville Super Regional.
Oklahoma players celebrate after winning the Women's College World Series championship series over Florida State on Thursday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

Oklahoma players celebrate after winning the Women's College World Series championship series over Florida State on Thursday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Oklahoma beats FSU to win third straight WCWS title, extends record win streak to 53

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 8, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma saved its best celebration for last. Jordy Bahl threw three innings of perfect relief and the Sooners won their third straight Women's College World Series title and seventh overall, beating Florida State 3-1 on Thursday night for a two-game sweep.
Cassidy O’Neal is the LCR’s Tennis Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Cassidy O’Neal is the LCR’s Tennis Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia's Cassidy O'Neal named LCR's Tennis Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Fleming Island doesn’t typically lose to Columbia in tennis, but that didn’t strike any fear in Cassidy O’Neal or her doubles partner Adriana Velez. As the duo took the court for their district quarterfinals match, both players believed they could pull off the upset.
Oklahoma's Jayda Coleman slides into home plate to score past Florida State catcher Michaela Edenfield during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

Oklahoma's Jayda Coleman slides into home plate to score past Florida State catcher Michaela Edenfield during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Bahl's 2-hitter helps Oklahoma top Florida State in Game 1 of WCWS championship series

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 8, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jordy Bahl's dynamic pitching and boundless energy have Oklahoma on the verge of a third straight softball national championship. Bahl threw a two-hitter and struck out 10 and Oklahoma beat Florida State 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Florida's Jac Caglianone (14) waits for a throw to first during a game against Florida State on May 2 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/AP File)

Florida's Jac Caglianone (14) waits for a throw to first during a game against Florida State on May 2 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/AP File)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Legend of 'Jactani' grows as Florida moves closer to returning to College World Series

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Jac Caglianone quickly has become a folk hero in Gainesville. The pitcher/first baseman isn’t quite on the same level as Tim Tebow or Joakim Noah in Florida athletics lore, but he’s not far behind.
Florida State's Kathryn Sandercock pitches against Washington during a Women's College World Series game on Saturday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

Florida State's Kathryn Sandercock pitches against Washington during a Women's College World Series game on Saturday in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/Associated Press)

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Florida State stands in the way of an Oklahoma 3-peat

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma can become the first Division I softball program in more than 30 years to win three straight national championships. Florida State ace Kathryn Sandercock — one of the nation's top pitchers in recent years — stands in the Sooners' way.