It was a wild week on the diamond across the region, as high school baseball teams brought the heat in big-time playoff matchups!
Meanwhile in game 1, Bolles dominated Bozeman 17-5 behind some explosive bats. Gabe Gonzalez launched a home run and drove in 3 runs, while Justin Osborne was almost perfect at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs.
In game 2, Bolles would fall 9-3 in the Class 2A Regional quarterfinal setting up a crucial game 3. Gonzalez, who drove in a run, and Denzel Del Valle Delgado, a Class of 2026 contributed with a sacrifice fly as the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead.
Bolles takes a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Gonzalez with a rbi and Denzel Del Valle Delgado with a Sac Fly. @DuvalSports @BrentASJax @1010XLAG pic.twitter.com/Djj41T2XwI
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) April 24, 2025
Zac Flitcraft drove in Blake Waites to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the 8th. That’s all they’d need as pitcher Evan Wallace struck out 4 batters while Lakota Johnson got the win. Bozeman #3 will take on #2 Bishop Snyder in the Class 2A Semifinal.
Bozeman takes a 4-3 lead on Bolles top 8. @DuvalSports @BrentASJax @1010XLAG pic.twitter.com/vg7UVtEPcT
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) April 25, 2025
In another heart-stopper, Fernandina beat West Nassau 6-5 after drawing a bases-loaded, two-out walk in the bottom of the 10th! The teams were locked 5-5 heading into the 9th before Fernandina finally pulled through to take a 1-0 series lead.
Pensacola West Florida took down Paxon 8-2 in Game 1 of their series. West Florida’s bats came alive with hits from Keelan Boyd, Adam Geiger, Dax Robbins, and Ashton Bailey. Gabe Venable drove in 3 RBIs, while Jordan Hosman struck out 8. Paxon’s Caleb Robinson and Ethan Gomez had hits, and Jaquez Jackson knocked in a run, but it wasn’t enough.
In game 2, Paxon would fall to West Florida 16-6. West Florida advances.
Home run #5 in regional quarterfinal‼️ Play again at home tonight 7pm. @Clay_Athletics @CHS_Baseba11 @FGCU_Baseball @Elasik21 pic.twitter.com/Ica5WhftSq
— Merrick Rapoza (@Merrick_Rapoza) April 22, 2025
Over at Episcopal, Dom Deloretto shut the door by striking out the final two batters with the tying run on third, locking in a 3-2 win over Providence. Dom DeLoretto of Episcopal School of Jacksonville secured a 3-2 victory over Providence School by striking out the final two batters, with the tying run on third base, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure.
Dom Deloretto strikes out the final 2 batters with the tying run on 3rd. Episcopal beats Providence 3-2 to take game 1. @DuvalSports @1010XLAG @BrentASJax pic.twitter.com/JmXAgebF4T
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) April 22, 2025
Jack Ottosen also hit a big homer for Episcopal earlier in game1. In Game 2 Episcopal defeated Providence 7-2 to take the series 2-0. Bottom of the Episcopal order got it done, as Bode Moore had 3 RBIs from the 8 hole and catcher Will Beard contributed with 2 RBI from the 9 hole to lead the Eagles to victory. Next up for Episcopal, Trinity.
Jack Ottosen with a bomb for Episcopal, they lead Providence 2-1 in top of 3rd @DuvalSports @BrentASJax @1010XLAG pic.twitter.com/6upWsUDDm8
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) April 21, 2025
St. Joseph Academy blanked CCA 7-0 in game 1. St Joseph defeated Christ’s Church Academy 7-6, securing a 2-0 series win. St Joseph advances to face University Christian in the next round of the class 1A playoffs. St Joseph and CCA were locked in a pitchers duel between St. Jo’s Jacob Guthmiller vs Ayden Bedi of Christ’s Church. Sean Miskowiec had 2 hits in game 2, while Dayton Taylor had 3 hits in game 1 for the Flashes.
Bishop Snyder defeated Keystone 9-0 and wins the series 2-0. Big nights from Ilias Mamea with a HR and 4 RBI and leadoff man Josh Murray who went 2-4 with 2 RBI in the decoding game. Snyder defeated Keystone handedly in game one 8-3. Cole Dennis had 8 strikeouts in game 2. Cody Boshell 5 strike outs. Next up is Bozeman
University Christian crushed Rocky Bayou 11-1 behind Lucas Brougham’s 4.1 innings of shutout work and 8 strikeouts. Caden Worbington and Bryson Harnage added fireworks with homers in game 1. The Class 1A region 1 game 2 matchup saw UC win 10-0. St. Joseph’s Academy is next in the regional semifinals.
To round it all out, Trinity Christian edged Maclay 3-2 in game one. Aaron Watson pitched a complete game, giving up just 2 unearned runs while striking out 7. On offense, Aiden Arnett went 3-for-4 with a run, joined by Jordan Martinez and Tyler Ellis, who also had key hits.
“Pitchers are the best athletes on the planet.” – Stephen Glansberg @AaronWatson25 leads the way for @tcabaseballjax in a 3-0 win, giving up only two hits in seven innings. He also showed off his 4” vertical @NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/uTkjF25D7G
— AWRE_Sports (@AWRE_Sports) April 22, 2025
Preston Cole highlights his performance in a baseball game between Covenant Christian and the St. John’s Country Day Spartans, where he hit his 6th home run of the season, contributing 2 RBIs with a 1/2 batting record, with the score tied at 0-0 in the 3rd inning. The Spartans would go on to win 10-0 in the Class 1A game 1 clash.
In game 2, Trinity won 10-0. Brady Harris had 2 hits and Chris Reali had 2 RBIs. Trinity, the number 1 seed in region 1 will face #5 Episcopal.
#6💣 on the year
— Preston cole (@Preston68724872) April 22, 2025
1/2 1 HR 1 SF 2 RBI’S
Swung it well 3 good swings
Game tmr🔥🔥@CaydenHatcherFL @PrepBaseballFL @SJCDbaseball pic.twitter.com/pzrByCpyDC
Brayden Harris of St. Johns Country Day School (SJCD), pitched 6 innings with 18 strikeouts, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, and 1 walk, while throwing 80% strikes in a regional playoff win against Covenant Christian, showcasing elite pitching skills for a 2026 prospect.
Harris ranks #1 in Florida and #4 nationally for strikeouts per MaxPreps data, with 116 strikeouts in 58.2 innings pitched this season, highlighting his dominance as a right-handed pitcher and attracting attention from college programs like FSU Baseball.
Offensively, Harris went 2-for-3 with a double and 3 RBIs in the game, batting .370 with 34 hits this season, demonstrating his dual-threat potential as a pitcher and hitter, which is rare for high school athletes at this level
1st round regional W. 6IP,2H,0R,1BB,18K. 80% strikes. #1 in FL in Ks, #4 in the country. 2-3 with a 2b and 3RBI. Batting .370 with 34 hits on the season @SJCDbaseball @USAPrimeNat @posethehose @FSUBaseball @CoachMegahee @PrepBaseballFL @Florida_PG pic.twitter.com/HPkcKmdMQP
— Brayden Harris (@BraydenH2026) April 22, 2025
With scores this close and plays this epic, it’s safe to say playoff baseball is in full swing—game 2’s are starting right now. Follow Duval Sports on X for Live Game Updates!
Featured image by Paul Simpson Strikeout Photography
