Sports

Branford pitcher Laila Arnold (left) celebrates with shortstop Cloey Criggall after the Buccaneers topped Aucilla Christian 2-0 to advance to the Class 1A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Branford pitcher Laila Arnold (left) celebrates with shortstop Cloey Criggall after the Buccaneers topped Aucilla Christian 2-0 to advance to the Class 1A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Arnold hurls Branford to Class 1A state semifinal

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
BRANFORD — It’s now out in the open that Branford’s destiny rests on the shoulder of top pitcher Laila Arnold, and coach Oscar Saavedra isn’t shy about admitting this. Who can blame him? In a game where baserunning was scarce, Arnold rose to the occasion once again in a pitching duo.
Branford head coach Tim Clark watches over conditioning at the end of practice on May 4. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford head coach Tim Clark watches over conditioning at the end of practice on May 4. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford faces final spring test against Bell, Hamilton Co.

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
BRANFORD —  Thursday’s spring jamboree at Bell presents a quandary for the Branford football team. On one hand, the 6 p.m. jamboree against Hamilton County and the host Bulldogs is just a spring game, offering a chance to try out new looks.
Columbia head coach Chris Howard watches the action against Pine Forest in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on May 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia head coach Chris Howard watches the action against Pine Forest in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on May 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia holding Howard out of regional championship with suspension looming

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, May 15, 2023
If the Columbia Tigers are going to win another regional title, they’re going to have to do it without their head coach. Chris Howard is being held out of Tuesday’s Region 1-5A championship against Clay following his ejection during Saturday’s 8-4 win against Lincoln in the regional semifinals.
Columbia players swarm Josh Fernald at home plate after Fernald hit a walk-off grand slam against Lincoln on Saturday in the Region 1-5A semifinals. The Tigers won 8-4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia players swarm Josh Fernald at home plate after Fernald hit a walk-off grand slam against Lincoln on Saturday in the Region 1-5A semifinals. The Tigers won 8-4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Fernald's walk-off grand slam caps off Columbia's rally over Lincoln in Region 1-5A semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, May 13, 2023
The home plate umpire sent Columbia coach Chris Howard to the locker room early. So, Howard pulled up a seat and propped his legs up to watch the show from above the dugout, hoping his ejection in the fourth inning would light a fire under his team.
Branford pitcher Laila Arnold (left) races toward shortstop Cloey Criggall to celebrate their Region 3-1A semifinal win over Fort White on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford pitcher Laila Arnold (left) races toward shortstop Cloey Criggall to celebrate their Region 3-1A semifinal win over Fort White on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford shuts down Fort White to advance to Region 3-1A championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 12, 2023
FORT WHITE — A week ago, Branford head coach Oscar Saavedra gathered his team on the diamond. He talked to them for nearly an hour after losing the district championship game to Fort White on the Buccaneers’ home field. Fast forward a week, and Saavedra’s postgame speech rang much shorter.
Lafayette’s Dawson Mock celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam against Wakulla Christian in the Region 3-1A semifinals on Wednesday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette’s Dawson Mock celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam against Wakulla Christian in the Region 3-1A semifinals on Wednesday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette run rules Wakulla Christian in 1A regional semis

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
MAYO — Lafayette’s leadoff hitter Dawson Mock and Garrett Taylor can certainly make a claim that they impacted a game as much as the weather. Trailing 1-0 to visiting Wakulla Christian, Lafayette didn’t even have a baserunner through two innings against FSU signee Ben Clenney.