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A roundup of district high school baseball games on April 17, 2025:
No matter the inning, no matter the score, never, ever count out the Island Coast High School baseball team.
The Gators, who have made a habit of thrilling victories during their run as one of the top programs in Southwest Florida, delivered a comeback for the ages Thursday, scoring six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun Lemon Bay 7-6 to claim its 11th district championship.
“We knew we could do it; we just had to get the energy going,” said junior Logan Hawkins, whose line-drive single plated the game-winning run for the Gators (21-6). “I mean, we really were dead. But everybody started hitting, we got in a groove, and everything just worked out perfectly.”
The Manta Rays (13-9), who needed a win Thursday to punch their ticket to the state playoffs, dominated the game for the first six innings. Sophomore left-hander Wilson Shaw kept the Island Coast hitters off balance, limiting the Gators to just three hits. Meanwhile, Lemon Bay’s hitters came up huge in the clutch, especially during a four-run third inning that saw the Manta Rays put together six consecutive two-out hits.
Prior to the game, Gators coach Clint Montgomery said he pointed to the program’s 10 district banners and reminded his team eight of those titles came from one-run victories. The message? Wins, especially in the district championship, never come easy.
“I thought at some point this game was going to come back to the middle because we’re pretty even teams,” he said. “I told them not to panic at the end there. Just keep grinding.”
Island Coast opened the bottom of the seventh inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases. Senior Bradon Tuduri followed with a ringing double just inside the right field line to cut the Gators’ deficit to 6-3 and chase Shaw.
After freshman Nate Jaquez lined out, senior Grady Schweizer singled to plate another run. Then freshman Archer Ellis delivered a pinch RBI double to make it 6-5. Junior Austin Schoolcraft’s sacrifice fly tied the game, setting the stage for Hawkins.
“Runner on third two outs, the goal there is just hit something hard to the outfield to get him home,” Hawkins said. “And I kind of did that there, hit the ball hard, got a weird hop, and it went off the second baseman’s glove.”
While Island Coast celebrated, the Lemon Bay players walked off the field in disbelief, stunned that their season was over.
“We had a lot of people counting us out this year,” Manta Rays coach Zach Gonzales said. “We had 10 seniors graduate, three kids transfer. We started four sophomores tonight. But we knew we were going to come out here and compete and we did. We competed our butts off.”
Gonzales said there wasn’t much the coaches could say to the Manta Rays players after seeing their hopes for the state playoffs ripped away. “There’s really nothing you can say,” he said. “I mean, for six innings, we dominated the game. It was all Lemon Bay for six straight innings. All you can say is that you love them and are proud of them.”
— Dan DeLuca
In the top of the seventh inning, Barron Collier coach Adam Johnson took a stroll to the pitcher’s mound.
“I told you I’d give you two outs, but you’re done,” Johnson told starting pitcher Alan Overmyer, who was at 102 pitches.
“No I’m not, I’m getting this last hitter,” Overmyer replied.
Johnson gave him a playful two-handed shove and took a turn back to the dugout. A mere two minutes later, Overmyer kept his promise. A strikeout of Jose Gonzalez sent the Cougars into a frenzy, celebrating a 3-0 win over Bonita Springs to secure the Class 4A-District 12 title.
“This is the group that stuck with it,” Johnson said. “They stayed here. They committed to being a good team. They were freshmen and sophomores that year. They really bought into what I was trying to do with this program and with this group of kids. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids. We’ve got 21, 22 kids floating around here right now. Everybody’s got a job, and that’s what we talk about.
“It takes a village. These guys, the guys that are on the bench cheering,to the guys that are doing the charts, keeping the GameChanger. Everybody’s got a job and everybody knows what it is.”
Barron Collier (20-6) and Bonita Springs (16-11) went after it early on the mound, with Overmyer matched up with freshman Jhon Rodriguez. Rodriguez met the moment early, striking out Casey Johnson and Brody Graham in the first inning, which included a wave to Johnson and a staredown of Graham. Rodriguez would concede just one baserunner in the second and third innings.
After pressuring in the fourth with runners on first and third with one out but coming up empty, Barron Collier broke through in the fifth. Khayden Collier led off with a single, before Grady Gallen played small ball and reached on a bunt single.
Until Bonita’s bunt defense could get an out, Barron Collier kept going to it. Leadoff hitter John Minerva loaded the bases on a bunt single before Casey Johnson laid one down to take a 1-0 lead. Clearly rattled, Rodriguez walked Overmyer on four pitches before getting out of the jam with a strikeout of Graham and a double play on the basepaths after Carson Felts was unable to get a suicide squeeze down.
“That’s what it came down to right there,” Johnson said. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s what I’ve always been told. We were just going to go until they couldn’t do it anymore.”
Overmyer (7-2, 1.23 ERA) would keep the Bull Sharks off balance for much of the night, and turned in just his second complete game of his career, and the first this season.
“I feel amazing,” Overmyer said. “I told coach after, my changeup was working. He even said it too. Just like every team, it doesn’t matter how good they are, what the record says, anything like that, you just gotta go at them. Throw strikes, work counts, you just gotta go at them, and it paid off.”
In the top of the sixth, Bonita pressured with runners on first and third thanks to a pair of singles. With two outs and Jacob Estrada up to bat, the senior catcher poked a ball hard to the right side, but Johnson – who struck out his first two times at the plate – made an impressive stop in the hole to preserve the lead and the shutout.
“That kid right there, he’s an unbelievable baseball player,” Johnson said before getting doused with blue Gatorade. “He and I have had a lot of fun this year. I get to go home with him and talk about the game. That kid would eat the baseball if he had to. I love the way he’s played all year. He’s exceeded my expectations by a mile, and couldn’t be prouder of him.
“That play in the sixth inning was a big league play. Unbelievable. For him to go to his left like he did, be able to get that ball in the glove and get up and throw that kid out, huge game-changing moment right there to get out of the inning for Alan.
In the bottom half, Jonathan Hernandez-Carr laced a double down the third base line, which ultimately chased Rodriguez (2-3, 1.33 ERA), who struck out 8 over 5 1/3 innings, conceding seven hits and two walks.
“That double down the left field line to get Blaine (Shoemaker) in from first was huge,” Johnson said. “That third run was huge. I play for that odd number. We got that one, and that was a big advantage for us.”
The Cougars are long removed from a team that saw their longtime head coach let go, which resulted in many players transferring out. Barron’s poised for their best regional seeding in program history, as they’ve all but surely locked up the No. 2 seed in Class 4A-Region 3.
“I think that’s the best feeling, knowing we get to do it on our home field,” Johnson said. “You saw the fans come out on both sides. To be able to do this on our field next week and to host the first two games, I love it.”
— Alex Martin
A district championship for the Gulf Coast baseball team was safe and sound on the right arm of starting pitcher Eric Hermanson Thursday night.
Hermanson pitched a seven-inning complete game victory, giving up only three hits and a run as the Sharks won the District 5A-12 title over South Fort Myers at Gulf Coast High.
Michael Peterson had a hit with three RBIs for Gulf Coast (14-12). Brandon Borrego also had a hit that produced two RBIs.
Hermanson retired the Wolfpack’s first 13 batters he faced before South broke out with a run in the fifth.
“It all started with Eric tonight,” Gulf Coast coach Pete Garcia said. “He was so dominant that you have to take your hat off to him. He set the tone right from the start. At this point in the season, the players are starting to believe in and trust the process.
“We were prepared for this game, mostly because of the schedule we played. Some people will look at our record at 14-12 and think we’re down, but we play a tough schedule. So our kids were prepared.”
Jerry Cruz took the loss for the Wolfpack (12-15).
“Hermanson threw great. He mixed up his pitches and threw a change-up and slider,” South coach William Eyre said. “He kept our hitters off-balance, and we didn’t make enough adjustments.
"Our guys fight all the time, and we did a good job in battling to the end, but it’s always disappointing to lose and see the season come to an end for our nine seniors.”
The Sharks put two runs on the scoreboard in the first. Jackson Gieger and A.J. Condomina singled with one out and advanced on stolen bases. Then Brandon Borrego drove them both in with a base hit, giving Gulf Coast a 2-0 lead.
The Wolfpack got its sole offensive outburst in the fifth. With one out, David Acevedo reached base on an infield hit and moved on to second on a Shark error. Acevedo promptly scored when Criss Morillo grounded a seeing-eye single to left. After 4 ½ innings, the Wolfpack cut Gulf Coast’s lead in half, 2-1.
But then the Sharks got the run back and more in the bottom of the frame. Center fielder Peterson doubled to right-center, scoring Jonathan Kacinas, Preston Compton, and Gieger to make it a 5-1 game.
Gulf Coast will get ready for its regional quarterfinal in a typical way.
We want to continue to do what we’re doing,” Garcia said. “We have to put the ball in play and put pressure on the other team. We’ve pitched well and played defense well all year, so we want to continue putting pressure on the other team.”
— Tom Corwin
***** GORDA — Fort Myers coach Brad Crone couldn't say his team didn't have opportunities.
The Green Wave loaded the bases twice in the first three innings and had other chances. But every time they knocked on the door, they would strike out or hit into an inning-ending twin-killing.
Edwin Feliciano pitched six innings, striking out 10 and walking five as Charlotte beat Fort Myers Thursday to win its second consecutive District 5A-11 championship.
The victory not only meant an automatic berth in the Region 5A-3 playoffs for Charlotte (18-9), it also meant that the road to states could go through ***** Gorda, depending on how the final rankings shake out.
Fort Myers (16-9) was ranked third in the region and should make the field, though they may have to do it on the road.
Crone said the Green Wave had chances, but couldn't take advantage, stranding 10 runners, and that Charlotte deserved to win.
"You have to give credit to Charlotte and what they've done there. Lavell is a great coach and he deserves everything they got," Crone said. "We had a game plan going in. We knew what we were up against. He didn't give us many chances because Edwin is such a good pitcher. You have to take advantage of opportunities, and we didn't do that."
After an uneventful first, Charlotte almost allowed Fort Myers to have a huge inning in the second. They committed two errors, botched a double play ball, and allowed a walk before Feliciano got them out of the inning with a strikeout and bouncer back to the box.
Charlotte also got a break in the second on two walks by Fort Myers starter Brady Best and a wild throw by the catcher, allowing pinch runner Caden Speciale to go to third. After a walk, Adam Lee singled up the middle for the RBI and a 1-0 Tarpons lead.
The Green Wave stranded the bases loaded again in the third, with Feliciano striking out Luke Fleming to end the threat.
Charlotte got a break and again took advantage as the Green Wave botched a rundown that would have ended the inning. Instead, the throw by the second baseman went wild and Dominic Giglio scored to make it 2-0 Charlotte.
Feliciano was wild at times and allowed Fort Myers some chances. Fortunately, the Tarpons defense came back to record double plays in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Green Wave off the scoreboard.
Feliciano put two runners on in the sixth, but struck out Madrid Tucker to end the inning and his night. Giglio pitched a perfect seventh to end it.
Charlotte coach Lavell Cudjo said it was a true team effort.
"Eddie threw well and we held them off. What a great performance. We haven't done this in a long time, but back-to-back championships shows what a good baseball team we have," Cudjo said. "In big games all year, our defense has come through. They're solid. When they trust each other, this is the outcome."
Alexander Mankin reached base three times for Fort Myers. Best ended up having a great outing, going the distance and allowing four hits and three walks while striking out seven. He retired the last nine batters he faced.
— Chuck Ballaro
Ever Silvente found a timely moment for his first home run of the season.
After pulling a couple balls over the fence but foul, the Canterbury catcher launched one into left field for a walk-off victory to win the Class 1A-District 11 title by mercy rule at Terry Park on Thursday.
“I got two curve balls in a row that he hung it, and I was just a little in front,” Silvente said. “And then I thought he was going to throw a fastball, so he threw it. I waited on it a little bit more, and then it went over.
“It felt really good, especially since it was a walk-off home run. It wasn’t just normal.”
With the win, the Cougars secured their first district championship since 2021, a noteworthy gap for a program that is not far removed from regularly reaching state title games.
“It’s nice to get back on the winning track again,” head coach Frank Turco said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a district title, and it never gets old. And I’m proud of the guys because we’ve worked hard all year.”
Canterbury came out ravenous at the plate, forcing two pitching changes for ECS in the first two innings. The Cougars put four runs on the board in the first and five in the second.
Brayden Habuda went 3-for-3, including a double and a two-run home run. Silvente recorded three hits, including the walk-off, and Ashby Piatt went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple.
“They were just trying to square up baseballs – instead of trying to lift a bill, they’re squaring them up,” Turco said. “And when you try to square up a baseball and not try to do too much with it, the results are going to be there. They were doing a good job of that tonight. We were spraying the balls all over the place.”
Canterbury starting pitcher J.T. Huether didn’t allow a hit in three innings. He struck out five batters, issued five walks and had a run score on a wild pitch.
“We didn’t really throw a ton of first pitch strikes tonight, and that’s something we’re going to have to clean up,” Turco said.
ECS added a couple runs with RBIs from Harlan Haugen and Anthony Cabrera in the fifth inning, keeping their season alive for one more half-inning.
“Kudos to Coach (Derrik) Lutz over there,” Turco said. “We’re good friends, so it’s always nice to compete against your good friend. He does a good job and that team is going to be good for a while to come.”
However, Silvente had the final say with his two-run home run in the fifth. He rounded the bases and was welcomed to home plate with a raucous celebration from his teammates.
"We’ve matured, we’ve gotten stronger, we’ve gotten a little more understanding," Turco said. "This is honestly one of my favorite groups. I feel badly because I don’t think I’ve gotten them where they need to be, but I do love how they come to work every day, and it makes me proud to be a coach. Win or lose, I want more from them."
Despite having more than 500 career wins, Turco will be in uncharted territory with the FHSAA’s new format, which will introduce best-of-three series starting in regional play.
“I really don’t have a plan, but we’re going to go attack it like we’ve never done before,” he said.
— Dustin Levy
The Celtics (16-11) pounded out 16 hits in the victory. Gus Fusco went 3-for-3 with a double and four runs scored while Peyton Frontino also had three hits, including double and a triple, and drove in four runs.
— Naples Daily News staff
The Vikings saw their game moved to Terry Park due to a blown transformer, leading to no lights at Duane Swanson Field.
After Avon Park drew first blood in the top half of the first, Verot responded with a pair in the bottom half. Braylon Sheffield plated Grayson Carpenter, who led off with a double. From there, Joey Lawson doubled, and was eventually plated by Nick Raber, who tripled.
Raber would go 4 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing two hits and two walks, resulting in one earned run. He would strike out five over 59 pitches. Owen Rardin would go 1 1/3 innings in middle relief before Lawson picked up a save in the seventh, striking out a pair.
— The News-Press staff
The Seahawks saw seven players record multi-hit games in an anticlimactic win over the Sharks. UAB commit Cutter Smith went 2 for 2 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, and two walks, while Cam Otterbeck went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, and a run scored. Leadoff hitter Nick Renteria reached base three times with a double, a single, and a walk, and scored each time. Caden De Jesus went four innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, and no walks with three strikeouts.
— Naples Daily News staff
An elite outing from Michel Valdes gave the Bulldogs a district championship in Class 6A-District 13, winning 7-0 over the Eagles.
Valdes went the distance, striking out 13 while conceding just two hits. Valdes also did it himself at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI. Robbie Hensley would go 1 for 3 with two RBI, while Austin Field would plate another.
The Bulldogs are all but sure to head to Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday and Thursday to take on top-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in Class 6A-Region 4. The Raiders were 14-4 winners over Flanagan in the Class 6A-District 15 title game.
— The News-Press staff
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Island Coast, Canterbury, Barron Collier, Gulf Coast win baseball titles
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Class 4A-District 11
Island Coast 7, Lemon Bay 6
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No matter the inning, no matter the score, never, ever count out the Island Coast High School baseball team.
The Gators, who have made a habit of thrilling victories during their run as one of the top programs in Southwest Florida, delivered a comeback for the ages Thursday, scoring six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun Lemon Bay 7-6 to claim its 11th district championship.
“We knew we could do it; we just had to get the energy going,” said junior Logan Hawkins, whose line-drive single plated the game-winning run for the Gators (21-6). “I mean, we really were dead. But everybody started hitting, we got in a groove, and everything just worked out perfectly.”
The Manta Rays (13-9), who needed a win Thursday to punch their ticket to the state playoffs, dominated the game for the first six innings. Sophomore left-hander Wilson Shaw kept the Island Coast hitters off balance, limiting the Gators to just three hits. Meanwhile, Lemon Bay’s hitters came up huge in the clutch, especially during a four-run third inning that saw the Manta Rays put together six consecutive two-out hits.
Prior to the game, Gators coach Clint Montgomery said he pointed to the program’s 10 district banners and reminded his team eight of those titles came from one-run victories. The message? Wins, especially in the district championship, never come easy.
“I thought at some point this game was going to come back to the middle because we’re pretty even teams,” he said. “I told them not to panic at the end there. Just keep grinding.”
Island Coast opened the bottom of the seventh inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases. Senior Bradon Tuduri followed with a ringing double just inside the right field line to cut the Gators’ deficit to 6-3 and chase Shaw.
After freshman Nate Jaquez lined out, senior Grady Schweizer singled to plate another run. Then freshman Archer Ellis delivered a pinch RBI double to make it 6-5. Junior Austin Schoolcraft’s sacrifice fly tied the game, setting the stage for Hawkins.
“Runner on third two outs, the goal there is just hit something hard to the outfield to get him home,” Hawkins said. “And I kind of did that there, hit the ball hard, got a weird hop, and it went off the second baseman’s glove.”
While Island Coast celebrated, the Lemon Bay players walked off the field in disbelief, stunned that their season was over.
“We had a lot of people counting us out this year,” Manta Rays coach Zach Gonzales said. “We had 10 seniors graduate, three kids transfer. We started four sophomores tonight. But we knew we were going to come out here and compete and we did. We competed our butts off.”
Gonzales said there wasn’t much the coaches could say to the Manta Rays players after seeing their hopes for the state playoffs ripped away. “There’s really nothing you can say,” he said. “I mean, for six innings, we dominated the game. It was all Lemon Bay for six straight innings. All you can say is that you love them and are proud of them.”
— Dan DeLuca
Class 4A-District 12
Barron Collier 3, Bonita Springs 0
In the top of the seventh inning, Barron Collier coach Adam Johnson took a stroll to the pitcher’s mound.
“I told you I’d give you two outs, but you’re done,” Johnson told starting pitcher Alan Overmyer, who was at 102 pitches.
“No I’m not, I’m getting this last hitter,” Overmyer replied.
Johnson gave him a playful two-handed shove and took a turn back to the dugout. A mere two minutes later, Overmyer kept his promise. A strikeout of Jose Gonzalez sent the Cougars into a frenzy, celebrating a 3-0 win over Bonita Springs to secure the Class 4A-District 12 title.
“This is the group that stuck with it,” Johnson said. “They stayed here. They committed to being a good team. They were freshmen and sophomores that year. They really bought into what I was trying to do with this program and with this group of kids. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids. We’ve got 21, 22 kids floating around here right now. Everybody’s got a job, and that’s what we talk about.
“It takes a village. These guys, the guys that are on the bench cheering,to the guys that are doing the charts, keeping the GameChanger. Everybody’s got a job and everybody knows what it is.”
Barron Collier (20-6) and Bonita Springs (16-11) went after it early on the mound, with Overmyer matched up with freshman Jhon Rodriguez. Rodriguez met the moment early, striking out Casey Johnson and Brody Graham in the first inning, which included a wave to Johnson and a staredown of Graham. Rodriguez would concede just one baserunner in the second and third innings.
After pressuring in the fourth with runners on first and third with one out but coming up empty, Barron Collier broke through in the fifth. Khayden Collier led off with a single, before Grady Gallen played small ball and reached on a bunt single.
Until Bonita’s bunt defense could get an out, Barron Collier kept going to it. Leadoff hitter John Minerva loaded the bases on a bunt single before Casey Johnson laid one down to take a 1-0 lead. Clearly rattled, Rodriguez walked Overmyer on four pitches before getting out of the jam with a strikeout of Graham and a double play on the basepaths after Carson Felts was unable to get a suicide squeeze down.
“That’s what it came down to right there,” Johnson said. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s what I’ve always been told. We were just going to go until they couldn’t do it anymore.”
Overmyer (7-2, 1.23 ERA) would keep the Bull Sharks off balance for much of the night, and turned in just his second complete game of his career, and the first this season.
“I feel amazing,” Overmyer said. “I told coach after, my changeup was working. He even said it too. Just like every team, it doesn’t matter how good they are, what the record says, anything like that, you just gotta go at them. Throw strikes, work counts, you just gotta go at them, and it paid off.”
In the top of the sixth, Bonita pressured with runners on first and third thanks to a pair of singles. With two outs and Jacob Estrada up to bat, the senior catcher poked a ball hard to the right side, but Johnson – who struck out his first two times at the plate – made an impressive stop in the hole to preserve the lead and the shutout.
“That kid right there, he’s an unbelievable baseball player,” Johnson said before getting doused with blue Gatorade. “He and I have had a lot of fun this year. I get to go home with him and talk about the game. That kid would eat the baseball if he had to. I love the way he’s played all year. He’s exceeded my expectations by a mile, and couldn’t be prouder of him.
“That play in the sixth inning was a big league play. Unbelievable. For him to go to his left like he did, be able to get that ball in the glove and get up and throw that kid out, huge game-changing moment right there to get out of the inning for Alan.
In the bottom half, Jonathan Hernandez-Carr laced a double down the third base line, which ultimately chased Rodriguez (2-3, 1.33 ERA), who struck out 8 over 5 1/3 innings, conceding seven hits and two walks.
“That double down the left field line to get Blaine (Shoemaker) in from first was huge,” Johnson said. “That third run was huge. I play for that odd number. We got that one, and that was a big advantage for us.”
The Cougars are long removed from a team that saw their longtime head coach let go, which resulted in many players transferring out. Barron’s poised for their best regional seeding in program history, as they’ve all but surely locked up the No. 2 seed in Class 4A-Region 3.
“I think that’s the best feeling, knowing we get to do it on our home field,” Johnson said. “You saw the fans come out on both sides. To be able to do this on our field next week and to host the first two games, I love it.”
— Alex Martin
Class 5A-District 12
Gulf Coast 5, South Fort Myers 1
A district championship for the Gulf Coast baseball team was safe and sound on the right arm of starting pitcher Eric Hermanson Thursday night.
Hermanson pitched a seven-inning complete game victory, giving up only three hits and a run as the Sharks won the District 5A-12 title over South Fort Myers at Gulf Coast High.
Michael Peterson had a hit with three RBIs for Gulf Coast (14-12). Brandon Borrego also had a hit that produced two RBIs.
Hermanson retired the Wolfpack’s first 13 batters he faced before South broke out with a run in the fifth.
“It all started with Eric tonight,” Gulf Coast coach Pete Garcia said. “He was so dominant that you have to take your hat off to him. He set the tone right from the start. At this point in the season, the players are starting to believe in and trust the process.
“We were prepared for this game, mostly because of the schedule we played. Some people will look at our record at 14-12 and think we’re down, but we play a tough schedule. So our kids were prepared.”
Jerry Cruz took the loss for the Wolfpack (12-15).
“Hermanson threw great. He mixed up his pitches and threw a change-up and slider,” South coach William Eyre said. “He kept our hitters off-balance, and we didn’t make enough adjustments.
"Our guys fight all the time, and we did a good job in battling to the end, but it’s always disappointing to lose and see the season come to an end for our nine seniors.”
The Sharks put two runs on the scoreboard in the first. Jackson Gieger and A.J. Condomina singled with one out and advanced on stolen bases. Then Brandon Borrego drove them both in with a base hit, giving Gulf Coast a 2-0 lead.
The Wolfpack got its sole offensive outburst in the fifth. With one out, David Acevedo reached base on an infield hit and moved on to second on a Shark error. Acevedo promptly scored when Criss Morillo grounded a seeing-eye single to left. After 4 ½ innings, the Wolfpack cut Gulf Coast’s lead in half, 2-1.
But then the Sharks got the run back and more in the bottom of the frame. Center fielder Peterson doubled to right-center, scoring Jonathan Kacinas, Preston Compton, and Gieger to make it a 5-1 game.
Gulf Coast will get ready for its regional quarterfinal in a typical way.
We want to continue to do what we’re doing,” Garcia said. “We have to put the ball in play and put pressure on the other team. We’ve pitched well and played defense well all year, so we want to continue putting pressure on the other team.”
— Tom Corwin
Class 5A-District 11
Charlotte 2, Fort Myers 0
***** GORDA — Fort Myers coach Brad Crone couldn't say his team didn't have opportunities.
The Green Wave loaded the bases twice in the first three innings and had other chances. But every time they knocked on the door, they would strike out or hit into an inning-ending twin-killing.
Edwin Feliciano pitched six innings, striking out 10 and walking five as Charlotte beat Fort Myers Thursday to win its second consecutive District 5A-11 championship.
The victory not only meant an automatic berth in the Region 5A-3 playoffs for Charlotte (18-9), it also meant that the road to states could go through ***** Gorda, depending on how the final rankings shake out.
Fort Myers (16-9) was ranked third in the region and should make the field, though they may have to do it on the road.
Crone said the Green Wave had chances, but couldn't take advantage, stranding 10 runners, and that Charlotte deserved to win.
"You have to give credit to Charlotte and what they've done there. Lavell is a great coach and he deserves everything they got," Crone said. "We had a game plan going in. We knew what we were up against. He didn't give us many chances because Edwin is such a good pitcher. You have to take advantage of opportunities, and we didn't do that."
After an uneventful first, Charlotte almost allowed Fort Myers to have a huge inning in the second. They committed two errors, botched a double play ball, and allowed a walk before Feliciano got them out of the inning with a strikeout and bouncer back to the box.
Charlotte also got a break in the second on two walks by Fort Myers starter Brady Best and a wild throw by the catcher, allowing pinch runner Caden Speciale to go to third. After a walk, Adam Lee singled up the middle for the RBI and a 1-0 Tarpons lead.
The Green Wave stranded the bases loaded again in the third, with Feliciano striking out Luke Fleming to end the threat.
Charlotte got a break and again took advantage as the Green Wave botched a rundown that would have ended the inning. Instead, the throw by the second baseman went wild and Dominic Giglio scored to make it 2-0 Charlotte.
Feliciano was wild at times and allowed Fort Myers some chances. Fortunately, the Tarpons defense came back to record double plays in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Green Wave off the scoreboard.
Feliciano put two runners on in the sixth, but struck out Madrid Tucker to end the inning and his night. Giglio pitched a perfect seventh to end it.
Charlotte coach Lavell Cudjo said it was a true team effort.
"Eddie threw well and we held them off. What a great performance. We haven't done this in a long time, but back-to-back championships shows what a good baseball team we have," Cudjo said. "In big games all year, our defense has come through. They're solid. When they trust each other, this is the outcome."
Alexander Mankin reached base three times for Fort Myers. Best ended up having a great outing, going the distance and allowing four hits and three walks while striking out seven. He retired the last nine batters he faced.
— Chuck Ballaro
Class 1A-District 11
Canterbury 13, Evangelical Christian 3 (five innings)
Ever Silvente found a timely moment for his first home run of the season.
After pulling a couple balls over the fence but foul, the Canterbury catcher launched one into left field for a walk-off victory to win the Class 1A-District 11 title by mercy rule at Terry Park on Thursday.
“I got two curve balls in a row that he hung it, and I was just a little in front,” Silvente said. “And then I thought he was going to throw a fastball, so he threw it. I waited on it a little bit more, and then it went over.
“It felt really good, especially since it was a walk-off home run. It wasn’t just normal.”
With the win, the Cougars secured their first district championship since 2021, a noteworthy gap for a program that is not far removed from regularly reaching state title games.
“It’s nice to get back on the winning track again,” head coach Frank Turco said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a district title, and it never gets old. And I’m proud of the guys because we’ve worked hard all year.”
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Canterbury came out ravenous at the plate, forcing two pitching changes for ECS in the first two innings. The Cougars put four runs on the board in the first and five in the second.
Brayden Habuda went 3-for-3, including a double and a two-run home run. Silvente recorded three hits, including the walk-off, and Ashby Piatt went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple.
“They were just trying to square up baseballs – instead of trying to lift a bill, they’re squaring them up,” Turco said. “And when you try to square up a baseball and not try to do too much with it, the results are going to be there. They were doing a good job of that tonight. We were spraying the balls all over the place.”
Canterbury starting pitcher J.T. Huether didn’t allow a hit in three innings. He struck out five batters, issued five walks and had a run score on a wild pitch.
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“We didn’t really throw a ton of first pitch strikes tonight, and that’s something we’re going to have to clean up,” Turco said.
ECS added a couple runs with RBIs from Harlan Haugen and Anthony Cabrera in the fifth inning, keeping their season alive for one more half-inning.
“Kudos to Coach (Derrik) Lutz over there,” Turco said. “We’re good friends, so it’s always nice to compete against your good friend. He does a good job and that team is going to be good for a while to come.”
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However, Silvente had the final say with his two-run home run in the fifth. He rounded the bases and was welcomed to home plate with a raucous celebration from his teammates.
"We’ve matured, we’ve gotten stronger, we’ve gotten a little more understanding," Turco said. "This is honestly one of my favorite groups. I feel badly because I don’t think I’ve gotten them where they need to be, but I do love how they come to work every day, and it makes me proud to be a coach. Win or lose, I want more from them."
Despite having more than 500 career wins, Turco will be in uncharted territory with the FHSAA’s new format, which will introduce best-of-three series starting in regional play.
“I really don’t have a plan, but we’re going to go attack it like we’ve never done before,” he said.
— Dustin Levy
Class 1A-District 12
St. John Neumann 22, Village School 0
The Celtics (16-11) pounded out 16 hits in the victory. Gus Fusco went 3-for-3 with a double and four runs scored while Peyton Frontino also had three hits, including double and a triple, and drove in four runs.
— Naples Daily News staff
Class 3A-District 11
Bishop Verot 3, Avon Park 1
The Vikings saw their game moved to Terry Park due to a blown transformer, leading to no lights at Duane Swanson Field.
After Avon Park drew first blood in the top half of the first, Verot responded with a pair in the bottom half. Braylon Sheffield plated Grayson Carpenter, who led off with a double. From there, Joey Lawson doubled, and was eventually plated by Nick Raber, who tripled.
Raber would go 4 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing two hits and two walks, resulting in one earned run. He would strike out five over 59 pitches. Owen Rardin would go 1 1/3 innings in middle relief before Lawson picked up a save in the seventh, striking out a pair.
— The News-Press staff
Class 2A-District 12
Community School 16, Oasis 1 (four innings)
The Seahawks saw seven players record multi-hit games in an anticlimactic win over the Sharks. UAB commit Cutter Smith went 2 for 2 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, and two walks, while Cam Otterbeck went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, and a run scored. Leadoff hitter Nick Renteria reached base three times with a double, a single, and a walk, and scored each time. Caden De Jesus went four innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, and no walks with three strikeouts.
— Naples Daily News staff
Class 6A-District 13
Ida Baker 7, Gateway 0
An elite outing from Michel Valdes gave the Bulldogs a district championship in Class 6A-District 13, winning 7-0 over the Eagles.
Valdes went the distance, striking out 13 while conceding just two hits. Valdes also did it himself at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI. Robbie Hensley would go 1 for 3 with two RBI, while Austin Field would plate another.
The Bulldogs are all but sure to head to Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday and Thursday to take on top-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in Class 6A-Region 4. The Raiders were 14-4 winners over Flanagan in the Class 6A-District 15 title game.
— The News-Press staff
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Island Coast, Canterbury, Barron Collier, Gulf Coast win baseball titles
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