Sports

Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson celebrates heading toward third base after hitting a home run against American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson celebrates heading toward third base after hitting a home run against American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: It was an emotional farewell for the best CHS baseball team ever

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 26, 2023
Josh Fernald transferred to Columbia for his senior year to play with friends he grew up with, and hopefully take them over the top with a state title. It made the Tigers’ state semifinal loss to American Heritage on Monday that much harder to swallow. Fernald was Columbia’s ace all season long.
Branford shortstop Cloey Criggall is called for obstruction after tagging out Liberty County second baseman Gabriella Flowers during Wednesday’s Class 1A state championship game at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford shortstop Cloey Criggall is called for obstruction after tagging out Liberty County second baseman Gabriella Flowers during Wednesday’s Class 1A state championship game at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Obstruction call in Branford's 1A title game deserves scrutiny

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 26, 2023
Our sports editor, Jordan Kroeger, posted a photo I took of the most pivotal play of the Class 1A state championship game on Twitter. After a 16-hour lightning delay from the day before, Branford and Liberty County retook the field Wednesday morning.
Columbia golfer Spencer McCranie (left), pictured alongside CHS head coach Sherman Reed, signed his letter of intent to play at Tennessee State University on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Columbia golfer Spencer McCranie (left), pictured alongside CHS head coach Sherman Reed, signed his letter of intent to play at Tennessee State University on Thursday. (COURTESY)

BOYS GOLF: Columbia golfer Spencer McCranie signs with Tennessee State

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 26, 2023
Columbia golfer Spencer McCranie signed his letter of intent to play at Tennessee State University on Thursday. McCranie was a four-time LCR all-area selection and part of three CHS squads that qualified for the state tournament.
Columbia assistant coach Tracy Brinkley (left) hugs shortstop Brayden Thomas following the Tigers’ 5-2 loss to American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia assistant coach Tracy Brinkley (left) hugs shortstop Brayden Thomas following the Tigers’ 5-2 loss to American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Howard says missing Columbia's state semifinal was ‘heartbreaking’

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Chris Howard could only watch from his hotel room. Stuck serving the final game of a two-game suspension, Columbia’s head coach watched his team battle American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals Monday morning.