Sports

Columbia pitcher Matthew Dumas walks off the field after getting stranded at second base in the third inning of Tuesday’s game against Gainesville. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Matthew Dumas walks off the field after getting stranded at second base in the third inning of Tuesday’s game against Gainesville. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia’s bats go cold again in loss to Gainesville

Even Gainesville couldn’t solve Columbia’s hitting woes. The Hurricanes entered with a team ERA over 6 but looked nothing like a team that’s struggled on the mound this season. Tyler Guarino threw a complete game and stuck out nine to hand the Tigers a 6-2 loss in Lake City.
Baylor guard Davion Mitchell (45) celebrates at the end of the championship game against Gonzaga in the men's Final Four in the NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday in Indianapolis. Baylor won 86-70. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

Baylor guard Davion Mitchell (45) celebrates at the end of the championship game against Gonzaga in the men's Final Four in the NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday in Indianapolis. Baylor won 86-70. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Baylor wins title, hands Gonzaga first loss of season

INDIANAPOLIS — There was another team out there that was marching through the season undefeated, that looked unstoppable at times, that had all arrows pointing toward a national title.  Covid-19 put a halt to the undefeated dream. Nothing could stop Baylor from cutting down the nets.
Fort White shortstop Ciara Byrd high fives assistant coach Chad Padgett after bringing in the winning runs against Madison County on Monday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White shortstop Ciara Byrd high fives assistant coach Chad Padgett after bringing in the winning runs against Madison County on Monday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White rallies in seventh to top Madison County for fifth straight win

FORT WHITE — Ciara Byrd didn’t have anything else on her mind.  Coming to the plate with the bases loaded and her team down by two, she had one clear objective.  “I’m thinking, ‘Be smart at the plate,’” Byrd said of her mindset the last at-bat.
Columbia second baseman Sofia Arata can’t hold onto a throw as Dixie County left fielder Emily Chewning slides safely into second base Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Sofia Arata can’t hold onto a throw as Dixie County left fielder Emily Chewning slides safely into second base Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia's struggles continue in loss to Dixie County

Columbia hasn’t caught many breaks with injuries this season. Spotty defense hasn’t helped either. But that wasn’t all that went wrong for Columbia on Monday night against Dixie County.
Columbia tight end Daniel Bennett smiles after catching a touchdown pass against Englewood last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia tight end Daniel Bennett smiles after catching a touchdown pass against Englewood last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

CHS FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Bennett & Redic commit to colleges; Peterson announces top six schools

Two more from Columbia’s 2021 class are headed to the next level. Columbia tight end/defensive lineman Daniel Bennett announced his commitment to Henderson State University on Monday, one day after receiver Jaquez Redic verbally committed to Iowa Wesleyan University.
Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket with Joel Ayayi, left, against UCLA during overtime in the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. Gonzaga won 93-90. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket with Joel Ayayi, left, against UCLA during overtime in the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. Gonzaga won 93-90. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Suggs banks in winner, Zags top UCLA to advance to title game

INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Suggs took the inbounds pass and saw nothing but clear sailing. Three dribbles. Past the half-court line. A little stutter-step.  And straight into history.
Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) passes over teammate guard Adam Flagler (10) and Houston forward Justin Gorham (4) during the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) passes over teammate guard Adam Flagler (10) and Houston forward Justin Gorham (4) during the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Baylor routs Houston to reach title game

INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly two decades ago, Scott Drew decided to leave his comfort zone at tiny Valparaiso for the scandal-plagued basketball program at Baylor, explaining to his father that there was nowhere for the Bears to go but up. Now, they’re one win away from the top.