Sports

North Marion’s Tucker Jones slides in safely at second base as Columbia shortstop Logan Brooks attempts to field a throw Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

North Marion’s Tucker Jones slides in safely at second base as Columbia shortstop Logan Brooks attempts to field a throw Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia falters late against North Marion

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 28, 2025
CITRA — Ayden Phillips helped his own case all night. Columbia’s starting pitcher even gave himself a lead before he had to take the mound. But near the end of his night, Phillips began to lose steam before the wheels fell off the team entirely. The Class 5A No.
Branford outfielder Hunter Revis fouls off a pitch during Friday’s 2-1 loss to Calvary Christian. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford outfielder Hunter Revis fouls off a pitch during Friday’s 2-1 loss to Calvary Christian. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford comes up short against nationally-ranked Calvary Christian

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, March 28, 2025
BRANFORD — Branford continues to prove it can stack up against the elites. The Bucs, after sweeping two games from defending state champion Trenton in a four-day span, showed they can go toe-to-toe with Calvary Christian of Clearwater. The undefeated visitors from Clearwater, ranked No.
Columbia pitcher Harleigh Price winds up to pitch against Baldwin on Feb. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALLL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Harleigh Price winds up to pitch against Baldwin on Feb. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALLL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia falls to Baldwin on the road

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Harleigh Price let a lead slip away when Class 2A No. 6 Baldwin scored three runs in the fifth inning, which proved to be enough in a 5-3 win over Class 4A No. 5 Columbia at BHS on Thursday night. Price finished a complete game where four of the five runs were earned on six hits and a walk.
Suwannee third baseman Jace Moran rounds third base to head home for a run against Columbia on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee third baseman Jace Moran rounds third base to head home for a run against Columbia on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee jumps on Columbia early for fourth straight win

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Billy Moran was looking for more fight from his Suwannee Bulldogs in their second matchup against rival Columbia. They answered their coach’s call Thursday night. Class 3A No. 9 Suwannee jumped out to a 7-1 lead, then answered a four-run inning from Class 5A No.
Suwannee first baseman Kyler Watson races home to score a run against Chiles on March 11. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee first baseman Kyler Watson races home to score a run against Chiles on March 11. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Suwannee cruises past Newberry

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
LIVE OAK — Class 3A No. 9 Suwannee surrendered an early run but answered with four runs in the bottom of the first inning before cruising to a 9-3 win over Newberry at Booster Field on Wednesday night.
Branford first baseman Victoria Swain (left) and outfielder Ellie Frierson (middle) embrace pitcher Mallory Blue after Blue's walk-off infield single lifted the Buccaneers to a 6-5 win over Trenton on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford first baseman Victoria Swain (left) and outfielder Ellie Frierson (middle) embrace pitcher Mallory Blue after Blue's walk-off infield single lifted the Buccaneers to a 6-5 win over Trenton on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford rallies to beat Trenton for second time in four days

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
BRANFORD — Branford took a huge step toward healing from the heartbreak of losing last year's title game to defending state champion Trenton. And it was done in dramatic fashion. The Class Rural No.
Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against St. Johns Country Day on March 18. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against St. Johns Country Day on March 18. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia run-rules Eagle's View, throws one-hitter

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
JACKSONVILLE — It was a business trip for Columbia. A quick one. The Class 5A No. 5 Tigers jumped on Eagle’s View for three runs in the first inning and never let up, scoring in all five frames for an 11-0 run-rule win on the road Tuesday night for their third straight victory.