Sports

Columbia pitcher Kyler Keen celebrates as first baseman Nolan Slaymaker makes the catch at first base for the final out of the Tigers' 3-2 win over Santa Fe on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Kyler Keen celebrates as first baseman Nolan Slaymaker makes the catch at first base for the final out of the Tigers' 3-2 win over Santa Fe on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia steals victory from Santa Fe to close out regular season

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 9, 2026
ALACHUA — Columbia coach Chris Howard was willing to try anything to score a run. With runners on the corners with one out, the Tigers found an unorthodox way to take the lead for good.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado points to her home run as it flies over the fence during Tuesday's 13-2 win over Lafayette. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado points to her home run as it flies over the fence during Tuesday's 13-2 win over Lafayette. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia's bats catch fire in run-rule win over Lafayette

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Luisa Taylor keeps climbing up the leaderboard at Columbia, Emily Delgado keeps hitting home runs and Josie Raulerson keeps driving in runs. More importantly, the Tigers keep winning.
Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson is all smiles as she rounds third base after hitting a solo home run against Buchholz last Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson is all smiles as she rounds third base after hitting a solo home run against Buchholz last Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: District showdown looms between Columbia and Baker County

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Every week, we get closer to a showdown between Columbia and Baker County for the District 3-4A championship. Maybe the Region 1-4A title too. The Tigers (15-3) remained third overall in Class 4A and second in Region 1 with a 19.
Columbia second baseman Madden Mann drives in a run against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Madden Mann drives in a run against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: Columbia drops to sixth in Region 1-5A rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Last week’s three-game skid cost Columbia a spot in the Region 1-5A rankings. Potentially a home playoff game too. The Tigers (13-9) dropped to sixth in the region following the FHSAA’s latest rankings released Tuesday. They sit with a 15.
Columbia seniors Casen Maddox (from left), Colton Mote, Abraham Martinez, Tison McCray, Nolan Martin and Case Bennett were honored for Senior Night prior to Monday's win over Keystone Heights. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia seniors Casen Maddox (from left), Colton Mote, Abraham Martinez, Tison McCray, Nolan Martin and Case Bennett were honored for Senior Night prior to Monday's win over Keystone Heights. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia snaps skid, run-rules Keystone Heights on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 6, 2026
It was a special moment for Columbia coach Chris Howard and his six seniors. The group represented his first graduating class at CHS after taking over in 2022.