Play ball: Breaking down Northeast Florida first-round high school baseball playoffs
The Florida High School Athletic Association begins first-round regional baseball playoffs Tuesday and Wednesday across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. All schedules are as listed by the FHSAA but are subject to change.
All games 7 p.m. Tuesday unless noted
REGION 1-7A
Bartram Trail (16-11) at Spruce Creek (18-9)
Sophomore Dominic Cantona (.448) leads the Bears back into regionals. But Spruce Creek defeated the Bears 5-2 in February, and include dominant junior pitcher Garrett Grant (8-1, 0.46 ERA). The winner plays Friday night against Timber Creek or Flagler Palm Coast.
Winter Park (13-12) at Creekside (17-10)
For the Knights, Sean Ashenfelder (.973 OPS) and Adam Harvey (.891 OPS) are hot at the plate, and pitching is deep. Winter Park's Jake Eisert is batting .371 with four homers and a 1.138 OPS against top opposition. A Knights win means a Friday home game against Lake Mary or Lake Brantley.
Baseball district wrap: Trinity Christian rolls, plus Creekside, Beachside, Bolles, BK win
REGION 1-6A
Fleming Island (18-10) at Pace (19-6), 6 p.m.
The Golden Eagles fly into the Panhandle with Josh Murray (.379) riding a 15-game hitting streak. They meet Northwest Florida State College commit Tanner Sauls and Pace, who turned it around after an 0-4 start. The winner will take on Gainesville Buchholz or New Smyrna Beach.
Oakleaf (17-9) at Oviedo Hagerty (18-8)
Before losing to Buchholz, the Knights had won seven straight, with Landon McDonald and Jorden Clarke reliable on the mound. Hagerty bats .300 as a team but backs into regionals on a three-game losing streak.
Tocoi Creek (18-7) at Tallahassee Chiles (18-8)
Andy Lemaster and Chase Pate, both batting above .360, are ready to lead the Toros out of their late slump (a 3-5 finish). They'll encounter Gulf Coast State College commit Davis Avera dishes out big hits (.333, 7 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 1.030 OPS).
REGION 1-5A
Orange Park (14-13) at Tallahassee Lincoln (15-11), 6 p.m.
The Raiders reached base early and often to capture a surprise district title, and Tyson Cruz, Devon Moore and Josh Taylor all bat over .400. In Tallahassee, they'll have to watch out for FSU signee Myles Bailey and his six homers.
St. Augustine (15-10) at Escambia (20-7)
A long road trip for the Yellow Jackets and senior Ryan Hansen, up to 16 extra-base hits and a 1.199 OPS. Escambia bats .326 as a team with a senior ace in Isaac Bates (5-0, 1.25 ERA), committed to Northwest Florida State College.
Ponte Vedra (12-15) at Clay (16-9)
The teams' February meeting ended in a career outing for Merrick Rapoza, who struck out 17 in a two-hitter as Clay won 2-0. Despite Ponte Vedra's record, the Sharks can be dangerous, and they'll include a .400 batter in senior Cade Eidam.
Columbia (15-12) at Beachside (15-13)
It's history for the second-year Barracudas, who enter postseason with a balanced lineup and a College of Central Florida-committed ace in Jake Meadows. The Tigers bring one of Northeast Florida's best to St. Johns County, junior Ayden Phillips (.468, 6 HR, 1.390 OPS).
REGION 3-1A
Liberty County (16-7) at Union County (14-13)
On a balanced Union County team, football quarterback Trenton Klein tops the list, batting .309. For Liberty County, Gavin Jerkins holds a .420 average with six doubles. The winner advances to meet top seed Mayo Lafayette or Madison County.
All games 7 p.m. Wednesday unless noted
REGION 1-4A
Suwannee (16-8-1) at Wakulla (20-5-1)
Jace Moran leads the batting order with a .942 OPS for Suwannee, which split the season series with Wakulla. Samford football commit Haden Klees bats .372 with nine doubles and three homers for Wakulla. The winner plays Saturday against Panama City Beach Arnold or Alachua Santa Fe.
Baker County (16-12) at Bishop Kenny (19-8)
Despite 13 strikeouts from Baker County ace Colson Altman, Bishop Kenny got the upper hand in last year's playoff between the teams, a 3-2 thriller. This has been a breakout year for BK junior outfielder Owen Delaney (.477). The winner meets West Florida or South Walton on Saturday.
REGION 1-3A
Keystone Heights (20-8) at Pensacola Catholic (26-1)
All-around senior star Connor Guy (.500, 6 HR, 24 RBI) leads Keystone into battle against Florida's No. 1 team overall. For the Crusaders, winners of 22 straight, Auburn-committed Chris Rembert (.524, 10 2B, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 1.618 OPS) is a Mr. Baseball candidate.
Providence (13-11) at Bishop Snyder (18-8)
Florida strikeout leader Aidan King (0.90 ERA, 6 BB, 118 K) hurled a five-hit shutout in the Cardinals' 2-0 win two months ago, a pitchers' duel with Providence's Donovan Rabiei. For Providence, Nick Oliveira (.382, 10 2B) has emerged at the plate.
Episcopal (19-8) at Bolles (20-7)
On top of his mound exploits, Clemson signee Chayce Kieck is batting .371 for a Bolles team going for the season sweep against rival Episcopal. The Eagles, hitting .293 as a team, include two .350 batters in Carson Magyar and Jack Ottesen.
Ocala Trinity Catholic (12-11) at Trinity Christian (21-6)
Jordan Martinez, Aiden Arnett, Brady Harris and Gage Petrutz all have an OPS of 1.000 or better for the Conquerors, back on track from an April skid. They'll encounter a future college player in the Celtics' Mekai Griffin (.965 OPS, 2.30 ERA).
REGION 1-2A
Gainesville St. Francis (14-9) at St. Johns Country Day (20-6)
The road begins here for Seth Alford, George Gilson, Kolt Myers and the top-seeded Spartans, surprised by St. Joseph in the district final. They'll face a Wolves team with an effective senior pitcher in McCabe Long (5-0, 2.03 ERA, 61 K).
Gainesville Oak Hall (13-5) at University Christian (17-9)
UC is officially hot. With Camden Harnage a magnet for walk-off heroics and Caden Worbington starring as batter and pitcher, they've won nine in a row. Gavin Jones (.500 average, 5 2B) powers the Eagles at the plate.
Christ's Church (15-8) at St. Joseph (19-8)
New Orleans commit Aiden Torrez leads the host Flashes, who have already beaten CCA by a combined 23-0 in two games. For the Eagles, senior Jackson Hadden allowed no earned runs in the regular season. The winner advances to face Tallahassee North Florida Christian or Tallahassee St. John Paul II on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school baseball playoffs: First round preview, Northeast Florida
