Sports

Columbia right fielder Marlee Hunt (14) hugs left fielder Addyson Sherman after Sherman hit a walk-off RBI single to defeat Seminole 6-5 in the Class 4A state semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Marlee Hunt (14) hugs left fielder Addyson Sherman after Sherman hit a walk-off RBI single to defeat Seminole 6-5 in the Class 4A state semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia rallies past Seminole on Sherman's walk-off to advance to Class 4A title game

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 21, 2026
LONGWOOD — Columbia left fielder Addyson Sherman had been there before. Runners on base, her team needing a hit. Only this time, the pressure was ratcheted up to the nth degree. On the line was a berth in the state championship.
Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham drops back to pass against Madison County during the teams' spring game on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham drops back to pass against Madison County during the teams' spring game on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Growing pains for Lafayette during spring shutout to Madison County

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
MAYO — The good news for the Lafayette Hornets on Tuesday? They likely played one of the toughest teams on their schedule.The bad news is that they still have a ways to go in order to catch up to that competition.
Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (2) celebrates after recording an out against Baker County during the Region 1-4A championship on May 14. The Tigers won 6-2 to advance to the Class 4A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (2) celebrates after recording an out against Baker County during the Region 1-4A championship on May 14. The Tigers won 6-2 to advance to the Class 4A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia leaning on chemistry, confidence in Final Four

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Columbia coach Joe Saucier still has the text.Before the Tigers ever played a game this season, he sent a message to the booster club that’s been proven true time and time again this spring.“‘Guys, we haven something special here,’” Saucier recalls.
Columbia defensive end Mikel Morgan (middle) races to celebrate with defensive coordinator Chris Martinez (middle) after returning a fumble for a touchdown against Camden County in Friday’s spring game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive end Mikel Morgan (middle) races to celebrate with defensive coordinator Chris Martinez (middle) after returning a fumble for a touchdown against Camden County in Friday’s spring game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia’s defense shuts down Camden County in spring game

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 15, 2026
Columbia’s defense didn’t get its shot at its former teammate, but the unit picked back up where it left off after last season in Friday’s spring game against Camden County.
Fort White defensive back Marvion Wallace (2) takes his second interception of the night into Williston territory during Friday’s spring game. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White defensive back Marvion Wallace (2) takes his second interception of the night into Williston territory during Friday’s spring game. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White forces 10 turnovers to down Williston in spring game

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 15, 2026
FORT WHITE — There’s plenty for Fort White coaches to examine. But at least they’ll be in a good mood as they do so.The Indians played, at points, good, bad, and everything in between during a 19-10 win over Williston in Friday’s spring game.
Columbia players celebrate in the circle after beating Baker County 6-2 to win the Region 1-4A title Thursday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia players celebrate in the circle after beating Baker County 6-2 to win the Region 1-4A title Thursday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia tops Baker County to win Region 1-4A title

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The emotion finally poured out of Columbia coach Joe Saucier.As someone who’s sacrificed a lot to coach the Tigers, he couldn’t hold back the tears. He gave up watching his daughter’s final two years at Santa Fe High School to coach CHS because he believed it was a group good enough to win it all.
Branford pitcher Harleigh Price reacts at home plate after Madison County center fielder Ryleigh Bass scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch thrown by Price in the bottom of the ninth inning of Wednesday's Region 3-R final. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford pitcher Harleigh Price reacts at home plate after Madison County center fielder Ryleigh Bass scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch thrown by Price in the bottom of the ninth inning of Wednesday's Region 3-R final. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford falls to Madison County in Region 3-R finals on walk-off wild pitch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
MADISON — Harleigh Price was nearly unhittable through eight innings. But in the end, the Cowgirls didn’t need a hit in order to steal a spot in the state semifinals. Price held No.
Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against Arnold in the Region 1-4A semifinals on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against Arnold in the Region 1-4A semifinals on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia rolls to another run-rule win over Arnold in Region 1-4A semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
First innings have been Columbia’s best as of late.So when Arnold struck for a run to start Wednesday’s Region 1-4A semifinal, the Tigers weren’t worried a bit. They quickly proved that in their turn at bat.