Wakulla softball book spot in second straight regional final, NFC baseball, softball fall
After a night of regional semifinal and final action for area baseball and softball programs, only one team is still standing.
Wakulla softball booked its ticket for the Class 4A Region 1 final on Friday night after a 2-1 victory over West Florida in a district title rematch.
In a cruel twist of fate, both North Florida Christian baseball and softball lost on a pair of walk-offs to Jacksonville area schools, ending the Eagles baseball season in the regional final, and the softball season in the semifinals.
Here is a breakdown of the results.
BASEBALL: Class 2A Region 1 final: St. Johns Country Day 8, North Florida Christian 6
It was a slugfest in Orange Park as NFC and St. Johns Country Day combined for seven home runs, including three in the seventh inning and a walk-off for the Spartans.
Falling to St. Johns Country Day in the 2A Region 1 final 8-6, NFC ends the season with a 19-7-2 record, winning the Class 2A District 1 title.
The long ball was the story Tuesday night as Jimmy Meeks, Noah Miller, Jace Riggan, Kaseman Pressley and Ace Walker all went yard for the Eagles.
Meek's solo shot in the top of the seventh seemed to have given NFC the edge, but a first-pitch home run in the bottom of the seventh from St. Johns Country Day senior James Gilson quickly tied things.
Following a walk, Spartans senior Kyle Boylston launched a two-run home run deep over the left field wall to walk things off and send St. Johns Country Day to the state final four.
SOFTBALL: Class 2A Region 1 semifinal: Providence School 11, NFC 10
The Eagles fell on the road to Providence School 11-10 in extra innings of the 2A Region 1 semifinal, despite a big night from Hayden Stone, who drove in three runners on three hits for NFC.
Walk-offs were the theme for both NFC baseball and softball, as the Eagles dualed with Providence School, scoring a combined 21 runs.
Leading the Stallions 9-7 after a massive six-run sixth inning, the Eagles went into the bottom of the seventh looking to close things out, but, Providence scored two runs to send the game into extras.
A top-of-the-eighth run for NFC almost put the game to bed, but two runs in the bottom of the eighth, including the walk-off single from Ava Conley to send Providence to the state final four.
NFC ends the season 9-14 and as Class 2A District 1 runners-up.
Class 4A Region 1 Semifinal: Wakulla 2, West Florida 1
The War Eagles are back to the regional final for the second year in a row, coming from behind to beat West Florida 2-1.
The Jaguars jumped out to an early lead in the second inning after a single from Emily Moraes scored Abby Cogdill. The War Eagles responded in the bottom of the third, leveling the score with a single from Brianna Stephens scoring Parker Stubbs.
A pitchers dual between Wakulla's Charley Butler and West Florida's Sydney Scapin kept the scoring low, with Butler fanning nine batters and Scapin striking out 13. Wakulla's Kaylee Walker singled in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring the winning run in Stephens.
Wakulla moves on to the 4A Region 1 final on Friday, May 17, facing Baker County. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time in Crawfordville.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Wakulla softball returns to regional final game, NFC baseball, softball lose
