Sports

Suwannee pitcher Gracie Watley winds up for a delivery during Wednesday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinals against West Nassau. The two teams will continue play Friday after rain and lightning postponed the 0-0 tie. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Region 1-3A quarterfinal postponed with Suwannee & West Nassau scoreless in sixth inning

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

CALLAHAN — Suwannee’s Gracie Watley and West Nassau’s Kelsea Bass were deadlocked in a pitcher’s duel. The two hurlers looked like they could’ve staved off the other all night. So they did. Only mother nature’s intervention stopped the show. The No. 6 seed Bulldogs and the No.

Suwannee pitcher Colton Rogers winds up to pitch against Baldwin during Game 2 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on April 22. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Controversial calls lead to South Walton’s walk-off HR, ending Suwannee’s season in Region 1-3A finals

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

SANTA ROSA BEACH — For a fleeting moment, it appeared as if Suwannee was bringing the Region 1-3A championship series back home. The third-seeded Bulldogs had just taken the lead in the top of the seventh inning before reliever Colton Rogers tried to shut the door on the No. 1 Seahawks.

Lafayette pitcher Garrett Taylor (9), Harris Johnson (12) and first baseman Noah Lamb (22) celebrate after the Hornets’ game-ending double play that finished off a 2-1 win over Union County in Game 2 of the Region 3-R finals on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette sweeps Union County for third straight berth in state Final Four

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

MAYO — Hyatt Richardson's gutsy effort on the mound is not the only reason Lafayette is heading to the state Final Four for the third year in a row.

Columbia designated player Josie Raulerson (left) and catcher Emily Delgado show off their home run balls following the Tigers’ 16-0 win over Escambia in the Region 1-4A quarterfinals on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia knocks around Escambia for run-rule win in Region 1-4A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

PENSACOLA — Josie Raulerson’s home run was the show’s opener. Emily Delgado’s was the main event. Delgado launched a grand slam over the center field fence that slammed right into Escambia’s Gator softball sign, part of a six-run third inning for No.

Columbia defensive end Kyten Davis (left) rushes into the backfield as center Zackery Grimes turns to block during Monday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: A new look O-line trying to gel this spring at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

It’s baptism by fire for three new faces on Columbia’s offensive line. Jiaun Wilson, De’Manuel Jones and Xander Satterfield have all been moved from defense to offense this spring, tasked with helping rebuild an offensive line that must replace three starters from this past season.

Suwannee second baseman Noah Lopez watches a West Florida pitch go high and by him during Game 3 of the Region 1-3A semifinals on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee shut out by South Walton in Game 1 of Region 1-3A finals

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Monday, May 5, 2025

SANTA ROSA BEACH — Opportunities weren’t an issue for Suwannee. Neither was the pitching. Rather, situational baseball — whether it was baserunning errors or bats going cold at the exact wrong time — undid the No. 3 seed Bulldogs from start to finish in Monday’s 3-0 loss to No.

Union County coach Jiwan James drops his head as Lafayette pitcher Ethan Tuten celebrates after getting a strikeout to strand two UCHS base runners in the top of the sixth inning during Game 1 of the Region 3-R finals on Monday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette pulls away from Union County late to take Game 1 of Region 3-R finals

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Monday, May 5, 2025

MAYO — Coming off a one-hit performance just the week before, Lafayette's big left-hander Ethan Tuten may not have been his sharpest, but it's a good thing his right fielder Lathan Garrard was.

Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy competes in the high jump at the District 5-1A meet on April 19. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Murphy’s regional title leads area’s state qualifiers

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, May 5, 2025

Jordan Murphy led all state qualifiers with his regional performances. He brought home a region title too. Murphy won the Region 2-1A title in the triple jump and also placed fourth in the high jump on Saturday at Satellite High School to punch his ticket to the Class 1A state meet in both events.

Columbia coach Chris Howard speaks to his team following the Tigers' sweep over Mosley in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on April 24. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Niceville sweeps Columbia in Region 1-5A semis on walk-off grand slam

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, May 1, 2025

NICEVILLE — The siren at “The Hill” rang loud. Jackson Marquardt celebrated by tossing his helmet to the side before being greeted by his teammates at home plate. What was a joyous win for Niceville was utter heartbreak for Columbia.

Branford's softball team poses with the District 6-R trophy after defeating Fort White 3-1 on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Arnold, Swain lead Branford over Fort White to win District 6-R title

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Thursday, May 1, 2025

BRANFORD — One member of Branford's old guard and a newcomer had the kind of game worthy of a district title against their higher-seeded rival. Laila Arnold, the Buccaneers’ fourth-year senior, continued her brilliance in the postseason.