Fort Myers Fl- The St. Johns Country Day School Spartans are state champions once again.
Behind another dominant performance from Brayden Harris, St. Johns Country Day defeated Orangewood Christian School 6-2 in the FHSAA Class 1A State Championship game to secure the program’s second state title in three seasons.
The championship capped a remarkable 26-8 season for head coach Tom Lucas and the Spartans, who first won a state title in 2024 when they claimed the Class 2A crown.
2026 senior year stats: #1 State Championship! BA: 314, R: 22, RBI: 19, PA: 107, K’s: 17, BB: 12, OBP: 434, FP: .930. @SJCDbaseball @therealtomlucas @coachmattcarter pic.twitter.com/JCM6vnoQKw
— Jonas Wells (@JonasAWells2026) May 17, 2026
Third-Inning Surge Sets the Tone
After two scoreless innings, the Spartans broke through in the bottom of the third.
Preston Cole delivered the first RBI of the game to put SJCD ahead 1-0. Madden Williams followed with another run-scoring hit, and Jonas Wells added a third RBI to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
That cushion was more than enough for Harris, who controlled the game from the mound and at the plate.
Big time web gem by Brayden Harris in @FHSAA 1A State title game yesterday. Huge thank you to @44ProCustom gloves for all the support in outfitting our players with the best equipment in the game. Thank you @TheDataCage for all you do for these guys. #44Family pic.twitter.com/DsekVHPCxL
— St Johns Baseball (@SJCDbaseball) May 17, 2026
Rodgers Delivers the Knockout Blow
Orangewood Christian trimmed the deficit to 3-2, but the Spartans responded in the bottom of the sixth.
With two runners on and one out, Hunter Rodgers ripped an RBI hit to extend the lead to 5-2. St. Johns added one more insurance run, taking a 6-2 advantage into the final inning.
In the top of the seventh, Harris slammed the door in dominant fashion, striking out the side to secure the championship.
Harris Caps a Historic Career
The Florida State Seminoles commit turned in one of the best two-way seasons in Florida high school baseball.
2026 Pitching Stats
- 85 innings pitched
- 45 hits allowed
- 13 earned runs
- 19 walks
- 165 strikeouts
- Led Florida in strikeouts
- Ranked among the top five nationally
2026 Batting Stats
- .400 batting average
- 1.117 OPS
- 42 hits
- 7 home runs
- 31 RBIs
- .381 average and .608 slugging percentage listed in season summaries
Harris also posted a .381 batting average and led the team with seven home runs, while striking out 155 batters according to team totals.
Career Totals
- 526 strikeouts
- .370 batting average
- 143 hits
His stellar four-year career established him as one of the most accomplished players in school history.
Offensive Leaders
Cole led the Spartans with a .484 on-base percentage and stole 12 bases. Rodgers batted .359 with five home runs, while Mason Jones added six home runs to tie for the team lead.
B3 | SJCD 3, Orangewood Christian 1
— Prep Baseball Florida (@PrepBaseballFL) May 16, 2026
St. Johns gets three runs on the board in the 3rd. RBI singles from Madden Williams and Jonas Wells.@SJCDbaseball | @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/SJiMGbp9iU
Championship Road
The Spartans dominated throughout the postseason:
- Rocky Bayou — 15-0
- University Christian School — 2-0
- St. John Paul II Catholic High School — 2-0
- Schoolhouse Preparatory School — 5-0
- Orangewood Christian — 6-2
Signature Wins
During the regular season, St. Johns Country Day earned key victories over:
- Trinity Christian Academy, 4-3
- Baldwin High School, 2-1
Building a Dynasty
From Cole’s spark at the top of the lineup to Rodgers’ clutch sixth-inning hit and Harris’ unforgettable final strikeout, the 2026 Spartans showcased everything that defines championship baseball.
When the final pitch crossed the plate, the celebration began. The Spartans had done it again.
State champions. Again.
