Sports

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.
Columbia shortstop Lillyenne Mayhew tries to get down a bunt against Baker County in the District 3-4 championship on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia shortstop Lillyenne Mayhew tries to get down a bunt against Baker County in the District 3-4 championship on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Baker County cruises over Columbia for District 3-4A title

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 1, 2025
GLEN ST. MARY — Columbia is hoping a potential fourth time’s the charm against Baker County. Catcher Chloe Johnson launched a three-run homer in the fourth while pitchers Grace Masterson and Rylee Walker tossed a combined two-hitter to highlight the No. 1 seed Wildcats’ 6-0 win over the No.
Suwannee pitcher Colton Rogers pitches against Baldwin during Game 2 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on April 22. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

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

PREP BASEBALL: West Florida strikes last against Suwannee to force Game 3 in Region 1-3A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
PENSACOLA — After collecting just five hits in their Game 1 loss Monday, No. 2 seed West Florida doubled its offensive efforts.  The Jaguars’ bats were on Suwannee pitchers all night, generating 10 hits in their 9-8 win over the No. 3 seed Bulldogs in Game 2 of the Region 1-3A semifinals.