Sports

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.
Suwannee's Hampton Newman (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against Wolfson in the District 3-3A semifinals on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee's Hampton Newman (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against Wolfson in the District 3-3A semifinals on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee run-rules Wolfson in District 3-3A semis

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
LIVE OAK — Hampton Newman enjoyed a 17th birthday he'll definitely never forget. The Suwannee designated hitter went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two doubles from his No. 7 spot in the batting order to help the No. 1 seed Bulldogs win their 10th in a row in a 10-0 run-rule victory over No.
Branford players celebrates with coach Brian Tomlinson after defeating Union County 4-2 in the District 6-R semifinals Tuesday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford players celebrates with coach Brian Tomlinson after defeating Union County 4-2 in the District 6-R semifinals Tuesday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Branford, Lafayette advance to District 6-R championship

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
LAKE BUTLER — Troy Roberts delivered a go-ahead RBI single and Patrick Williams also scored on a wild pitch in a decisive two-run sixth inning to lift No. 3 seed Branford to a 4-2 win over No. 2 seed Union County in the District 6-R semifinals Tuesday night at UCHS.
Branford's Troy Roberts strolls into second base during a game against Fort White on March 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's Troy Roberts strolls into second base during a game against Fort White on March 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Branford advances to District 6-R semis, Fort White upset by Hilliard

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 14, 2025
LAKE BUTLER — No. 3 seed Branford scored 13 runs in the first inning and easily cruised to a 15-0 run-rule win over No. 6 seed Hawthorne in three innings in the District 6-R quarterfinals Monday night at Union County High School.
Columbia shortstop Trayce McKenzie turns off first base after a base hit against Flagler Palm Coast on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia shortstop Trayce McKenzie turns off first base after a base hit against Flagler Palm Coast on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia squeaks past Fleming Island in District 3-5A semis on McKenzie's walk-off double

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 14, 2025
ORANGE PARK — It took until the seventh inning for Columbia to muster a hit. But it was the only one the Tigers needed. Trayce McKenzie came through with a walk-off double, scoring Colton Mote from second base to lift No. 1 seed Columbia to a 1-0 win over No.