Fort Myers Fl- For years, the Trinity Christian Academy baseball program stood among Florida’s most respected teams. Season after season, the Conquerors battled deep into the postseason, only to fall just short of their ultimate goal. In 2026, that story finally changed.
Led by Head Coach Jonathan Murphy, Trinity Christian completed a remarkable season by defeating True North Classical Academy 8-4 in the FHSAA Class 2A State Championship game. The victory gave the Conquerors their second state title in school history and their first since 2015. More importantly, it rewarded a veteran group of players who refused to let another championship opportunity slip away.
The Conquerors finished the season with a 27-8 record and proved their championship credentials throughout one of the toughest schedules in the state. Along the way, Trinity Christian defeated eventual Class 1A state champion St. Johns Country Day 10-8, topped Clay 8-1, and shut out Gateway Conference champion Baldwin 10-0. By the time the postseason arrived, the Conquerors had already shown they could beat anyone in Florida.
Their final push to the title began in the state semifinals, where Trinity Christian defeated Lakeland Christian 7-2. Strong pitching and timely hitting sent the Conquerors into the championship game against True North Classical Academy.
Trinity Christian struck first in the opening inning when Florida Gators commit Tyler Ellis ripped a double down the right-field line to score the first run of the game. Ellis, one of the team’s most talented two-way players, immediately set the tone and gave the Conquerors a 1-0 lead.
B1 | Trinity Christian 1, True North 0
— Prep Baseball Florida (@PrepBaseballFL) May 19, 2026
‘26 Tyler Ellis (FL) doubles down the RF line to bring in the first run of the game. @GatorsBB recruit@AthleticsTca | @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/mSyFK7nRZw
In the second inning, Trinity Christian added to its advantage. Aiden Arnett lined an RBI single to score another run, and Jordan Martinez followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 3-0. At that point, the Conquerors appeared firmly in control.
But championship games are rarely easy.
B2 | Trinity Christian 3, True North 0
— Prep Baseball Florida (@PrepBaseballFL) May 20, 2026
TCA scores two more runs to make it 3-0 in the second.
RBI single from ‘26 Aiden Arnett (FL) and RBI double from ‘26 Jordan Martinez (FL).@AthleticsTca | @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/a92HpAyURf
True North answered in the top of the third inning with three runs to tie the score at 3-3. RBI singles by Evan Alexander and Mikey Cuenca energized the Titans and shifted momentum to the opposing dugout.
The Conquerors, however, responded like champions.
In the bottom of the third inning, Trinity Christian exploded for five runs to reclaim control of the game. Tyler Ellis started the rally with another booming double that carried to the warning track. Jordan Martinez then delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, crushing a two-run double to the gap. By the time the inning ended, Trinity Christian had built an 8-3 lead and seized the momentum for good.
B3 | Trinity Christian 8, True North 3
— Prep Baseball Florida (@PrepBaseballFL) May 20, 2026
TCA regains the lead with a big 5-run 3rd.
‘26 SS Jordan Martinez (FL) 2-RBI double.
‘26 1B Tyler Ellis (FL) led off the inning with a double to the warning track. @AthleticsTca | @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/EugQb0SlMa
True North managed one final run in the sixth inning when a run scored on a Trinity Christian error, trimming the deficit to 8-4. That was as close as the Titans would get.
In the final inning, Romy DeCenzo provided the perfect ending. The junior fielded the ball and turned a game-ending double play, touching off a celebration that had been eleven years in the making. Players rushed the field, coaches embraced, and the Conquerors officially became the 2026 Class 2A State Champions.
The championship was the culmination of a complete team effort.
Senior Gage Petrutz led Trinity Christian offensively with a .372 batting average. He added three home runs and ten stolen bases, serving as one of the team’s most consistent performers all season. Senior shortstop Jordan Martinez powered the offense with a team-high 12 home runs and came through with multiple RBI doubles in the championship game.
Chris Reali and Parker Loew each blasted five home runs, while Florida Gators commit Brady Harris added four home runs and a team-leading 13 stolen bases. Ethan Wheeler also hit four home runs, and Aiden Arnett contributed three long balls and several clutch hits, including his RBI single in the title game.
Homerun #3 💣 @AthleticsTca @abarkett17 @LSUbsbrecruit @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/SQTFC6Mr5n
— Parker Loew (@ParkerLoew) March 18, 2026
Tyler Ellis played a major role on both sides of the ball. In addition to his two home runs and two doubles in the state championship, the Florida Gators commit struck out 53 batters on the mound and turned seven double plays at first base.
103ev
— Tyler Ellis (@TylerEllis2007) May 10, 2026
400 ft
and a trip to states so proud of this team! pic.twitter.com/r2laGsDydW
Trinity Christian’s pitching staff was one of the strongest in the state. Ethan Wheeler led the way with 112 strikeouts and established himself as the ace of the staff. Brennan Bachtell, a junior, recorded 72 strikeouts and provided another dominant arm. Ellis added 53 strikeouts, while Romy DeCenzo and Ryan Walls contributed 37 and 33 strikeouts, respectively.
The Conquerors were anchored by two future Florida Gators commits in Brady Harris and Tyler Ellis, but their success was built on depth, experience, and a roster filled with players willing to rise to the moment.
2026 OF @bradyyharris of @AthleticsTca picks up his first hit of the game in his second AB as he sends a rope back up the middle for a single. Loose, fast hands. The @GatorsBB commit has been on fire offensively, would later come in to score. @DiamondProMedia @FHSAA #mlbdraft pic.twitter.com/HT0Xp4E1Vq
— Mike Maerz (@Mike_Maerz) May 20, 2026
For Coach Jonathan Murphy, the championship represented both validation and fulfillment. After guiding Trinity Christian through several successful seasons that ended just short of the ultimate prize, Murphy finally led the Conquerors back to the top of Florida high school baseball. His team displayed discipline, toughness, and an unwavering belief that this season would be different.
The 2026 Trinity Christian Conquerors will be remembered as a team that possessed every characteristic of a champion. They had veteran leadership, a powerful lineup, a dominant pitching staff, and the resilience to answer adversity when it mattered most.
When True North tied the state championship game in the third inning, Trinity Christian did not panic. Instead, the Conquerors erupted for five runs and reclaimed the momentum in spectacular fashion. That response defined the season and illustrated the character of a team that refused to be denied.
With an 8-4 victory over True North Classical Academy, a 27-8 final record, and the school’s first state championship in eleven years, the 2026 Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors secured their place in program history.
After years of knocking on the door, Trinity Christian finally kicked it open.The Conquerors had conquered Florida once again.
