Sports

Branford's Victoria Swain makes contact with a pitch against Crystal River on March 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's Victoria Swain makes contact with a pitch against Crystal River on March 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Bates, Swain lead Branford past Bell

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Payten Bates went 3 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs while Victoria Swain also drove in three runs on a 2-for-4 night to lead Class Rural No. 3 Branford to an 8-1 win over Bell at home Tuesday night.
Branford runner Alex Whitfield races to the finish line to win the 100m title at the District 5-1A meet on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford runner Alex Whitfield races to the finish line to win the 100m title at the District 5-1A meet on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Whitfield leads Branford with 4 titles at District 5-1A meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
GAINESVILLE — The goal for the Branford girls heading into Saturday's District 5-1A meet was to compete for second place. Instead, the Buccaneers challenged host Oak Hall for the district title, racking up 216 points to finish as runner-up to Oak Hall's 228 in a dominant two-team performance.
Suwannee right fielder Kyler Watson celebrates with teammates Gabe Garcia (11) and Jace Moran (9) after hitting a three-run home run against Baldwin in Game 1 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee right fielder Kyler Watson celebrates with teammates Gabe Garcia (11) and Jace Moran (9) after hitting a three-run home run against Baldwin in Game 1 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee pulls away from Baldwin in Game 1 of Region 1-3A quarterfinals

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Monday, April 21, 2025
LIVE OAK — Unlike consecutive wins No. 10 and 11, when Suwannee run-ruled the first postseason opponents in districts, the Bulldogs were met with a Baldwin team that fought back. After having their early 4-0 lead wiped out, the No.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton watches her home run leave the park against Branford on March 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton watches her home run leave the park against Branford on March 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Compton, Mills lead Fort White past Chiefland

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 21, 2025
Kadence Compton and Sydnee Mills both homered, and Compton pitched a two-hitter to lead Class Rural No. 6 Fort White to a 7-0 shutout over Chiefland on the road Monday night. Mills finished with three RBIs on a 1-for-2 night, while Compton went 3 for 4 and drove in two runs.
Lafayette's baseball team defeated Branford to win the District 6-R title on Thursday, notching coach Tim Hanson's 200th win. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette's baseball team defeated Branford to win the District 6-R title on Thursday, notching coach Tim Hanson's 200th win. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Lafayette wins district title in baseball, Suwannee wins flag crown

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 17, 2025
LAKE BUTLER — Hyatt Richardson went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and threw a combined two-hitter with Garrett Taylor to lead No. 1 seed Lafayette past No. 3 seed Branford 4-1 in the District 6-R championship Thursday night at Union County High School.
Columbia’s baseball team poses with the District 3-5A trophy after defeating Ridgeview on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s baseball team poses with the District 3-5A trophy after defeating Ridgeview on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia beats Ridgeview for District 3-5A title

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 17, 2025
ORANGE PARK — Nolan Slaymaker let out a celebratory scream. For the Columbia freshman, it was his first taste of a district title. For several other Tigers, it was redemption.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado's tag isn't in time to stop one of Baker County's 10 runs on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado's tag isn't in time to stop one of Baker County's 10 runs on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia's struggles continue in run-rule loss to Baker County

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 17, 2025
GLEN ST. MARY — If there’s one thing Columbia coach Joe Saucier can take away from Thursday’s game, it’s that sometimes your opponent is hotter at the plate than you.  That rang true on the road against Baker County in a potential district championship preview. The Class 4A No.