District baseball: Winter Haven plays waiting game after loss, plus all semifinals results
WINTER HAVEN — The Winter Haven baseball team is playing a game it didn’t want to be playing.
With a 6-1 loss in the Class 7A, District 6 semifinals to Newsome on Tuesday, Winter Haven will now have to endure the waiting game to see if it makes the regional playoffs.
A win would’ve cemented the Blue Devils as at least the No. 6 seed. Now, the Blue Devils (17-9) have to see how the other districts play out and hope they earn one of the eight spots in the regional playoffs.
“It’ll be close, but probably not,” Winter Haven head coach David Schafer said in regard to this maybe being his team’s final game of the season. “I think we’re far enough ahead of the people behind us.”
Winter Haven came in at No. 6 and Newsome was No. 7. The teams are sure to flip flop before Newsome plays for the district title on Thursday at top seed Durant.
A mix of stellar pitching from Newsome ace Wade Walton, a High Point University commit, and sloppy defense made all the difference on Tuesday.
Walton struck out 12 in six innings of work, while only surrendering two hits.
“Their pitcher was really good tonight,” Schafer said. “He did a very good job. We knew they were a good team coming into this game.”
Meanwhile the Blue Devils didn’t help their cause with three errors and a bases-loaded walk.
Winter Haven scored its lone run on a RBI single from Joshua Cruz, but the damage had already been done.
“If we hold onto the ball that’s one run, or if we don’t walk the lead-off guy, or if we don’t make the error(s), all of a sudden, we’re in a 2-1 or 3-1 game with a runner in scoring position and the game on the line in the last inning.”
Lakeland-area district baseball semifinals roundup
6A-6: George Jenkins, Lakeland meet again
Top-seeded George Jenkins broke open a close game with rive runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away from Lake Gibson, 7-1. Xavier Glover and Wilfredo Ortiz each drove in two runs to support Brayden Smith’s pitching. Smith allowed just one run on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
AJ Sierra drove in three runs to send Lakeland past Bartow, 7-2. Chris Conde pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed just two runs on six hits. He struck out five.
Jenkins will play Lakeland at 7:30 p.m.
5A-7: Lake Wales shuts out Auburndale
Gage Chandler pitched a two-hitter and struck out eight in Lake Wales’ 7-0 victory over Auburndale. Levi Cutts went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Roy Ortiz and DJ Robins each had a pair of hits to pace the offense.
Lake Wales will play at Sebring at 7 p.m. in Thursday’s final.
4A-9: McKeel rolls, Hardee upsets Mulberry
Leading by a run, McKeel erupted for five runs in the sixth inning to put away Lake Region, 8-2. Wyatt Thomas had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three runs to lead the attack. KJ Scobey homered and drove in two runs. Kaden Howell allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five.
Hardee’s Casen Smith allowed five hits as Hardee upset Mulberry, 2-0, and plays at McKeel at 7 p.m. Thursday.
3A-7: Fort Meade to host Avon Park
Carson Montsdeoca pitched a four-hit shutout and struck out 15 to lead Fort Meade to 1-0 win over Lake Placid. He also had two hits and drove in the game’s only run. Owen Harrell went 3-for-3.
Fort Meade will play Avon Park at 7 p.m. Thursday in the championship game. The Red Devils defeated Discovery, 4-0.
2A-8: Rivals LCS, Santa Fe Catholic to battle in final
Daniel Herrera’s grand slam paced Lakeland Christian’s 15-0 victory over Oasis Christian. Gavin Byrd went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Mitch Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Dan Colon went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Santa Fe Catholic advanced with a 10-0 win over Victory Christian. DJ Flores homered and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Angel Andujar went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Jacob Knisley allowed two hits in five innings and struck out nine.
LCS and Santa Fe will play at 7 p.m. Thursday in the championship game.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: FHSAA baseball: Lakeland-area results in district semifinals
