Sports

Lafayette pitcher Ethan Tuten waves goodbye to the Trenton dugout after finishing off the Hornets’ 5-1 win in the Class Rural state semifinals on Wednesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette pitcher Ethan Tuten waves goodbye to the Trenton dugout after finishing off the Hornets’ 5-1 win in the Class Rural state semifinals on Wednesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Tuten's 12 strikeouts lead Lafayette past Trenton in Class Rural state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
FORT MYERS — Ethan Tuten turned many things Wednesday afternoon. The big southpaw turned a rocky start into a great finish. He turned a pivotal double play ball. And at the end of everything, the Hornets’ ace turned toward the Trenton dugout and waved goodbye.
Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy (left) placed second in the triple jump in Class 1A while Columbia’s Omarion Udell (right) was runner-up in the 110m hurdles in Class 3A at the state meet Saturday. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy (left) placed second in the triple jump in Class 1A while Columbia’s Omarion Udell (right) was runner-up in the 110m hurdles in Class 3A at the state meet Saturday. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Udell, Murphy bring home second-place medals at state

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, May 12, 2025
JACKSONVILLE — Seeded to miss the podium, Columbia’s Omarion Udell spent most of Saturday's 110m hurdles race right on the edge of medaling. However, just getting a medal wasn't good enough for the CHS senior.
West Nassau catcher Vida Kersey is called for obstruction as Suwannee runner TT Hill slides into home plate for the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning of Friday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

West Nassau catcher Vida Kersey is called for obstruction as Suwannee runner TT Hill slides into home plate for the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning of Friday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee edges West Nassau in extra innings to advance to Region 1-3A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 9, 2025
CALLAHAN — Suwannee’s Kirsten Yaun nearly didn’t make it. But the senior got to David Crosby Field just in the nick of time. Yaun had been taking a statewide standardized test just hours before.
Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex (sitting) is surrounded by teammates after signing her letter of intent to play college softball at Florida A&M on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex (sitting) is surrounded by teammates after signing her letter of intent to play college softball at Florida A&M on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia OF Sakiya Merriex signs with FAMU

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 9, 2025
A torn rotator cuff wasn’t going to stop Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex from achieving her dream of playing collegiate softball. She battled through the injury, battled back from it, and the hard work finally paid off Friday afternoon.
Branford catcher Morgan Brennan (right) celebrates with first baseman Mallory Blue (15) following the final out of the Buccaneers' 6-0 victory over Fort White in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford catcher Morgan Brennan (right) celebrates with first baseman Mallory Blue (15) following the final out of the Buccaneers' 6-0 victory over Fort White in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford shuts out Fort White to advance back to regional finals

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 8, 2025
BRANFORD — It’s not easy to beat a team three times in a season, let alone twice in a week. Yet, No. 2 seed Branford did just thanks to two big innings at the plate and a stellar pitching performance from Laila Arnold.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson takes off from the pocket during Thursday’s spring practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson takes off from the pocket during Thursday’s spring practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White focusing on filling needs this spring

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 8, 2025
FORT WHITE — The Indians will miss some of their leaders heading into the upcoming season. They’re hoping new ones step up in their stead.  Fort White is hoping it can reload after losing a substantial senior class from last year.