Here are the capsules for the area baseball teams playing in tonight’s region semifinals in classes 5A-2A. The winners in 2A advance to Monday’s region finals. The winners in 5A-3A move on to Tuesday’s region finals.
Class 5A
Region 3
No. 4 Naples (20-7) at No. 1 Jesuit (24-4), 7
The Tigers, ranked first in the class and third in the state by MaxPreps, have been on a tear, winning their last four games by a combined 54-5.
In the region quarterfinals, Jesuit cruised to a 12-2 victory over North Fort Myers. Wes Mendes led the way by hitting for the cycle and finishing with six RBIs.
The Golden Eagles, winners of three straight games, have allowed just one during their current streak.
No. 6 Island Coast (24-4) at No. 2 Osceola (21-6), 7
Pitching has been the key for the host Warriors’ recent success.
They have allowed just one run during their current three-game win streak. For the second time in as many weeks, Gavin Tuttle threw a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts against Hollins, the latest coming in the region quarterfinals.
Ethan Futch went 3-for-3 and Code Conte and Noah Ray each drove in two runs to lead the offense in the rematch against the Royals.
The Gators bounced back from a loss to North Fort Myers in the 5A-11 district final to beat Parrish Community 3-2 in the region quarterfinals.
Class 4A
Region 2
No. 4 Hernando (23-4) at No. 1 North Marion (23-5), 7
The Leopards, who have won six straight games, put their streak on the line in a tough playoff matchup on the road.
Michael Savarese threw a no-hit shutout (one walk away from a perfect game) and recorded 17 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Satellite Beach Satellite in the region quarterfinals.
The Colts, ranked third in the class by MaxPreps, have won four straight games, the last two via shutouts.
Region 3
No. 5 Hardee (17-10) at No. 1 Dunedin (19-7), 6:30
The Falcons’ quest to reach the state semifinals for the third straight season got off to a solid start in the region quarterfinals.
Dunedin beat Estero 11-1 to extend its win streak to three games. Trey Beard threw a five-hitter, allowing one earned run while striking out 11. Sammy Mummau went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, two RBIs and three runs scored.
The Wildcats are 3-3 in their last six games. They advanced with a 1-0 victory over Lemon Bay in the quarterfinals that went nine innings.
No. 3 Jefferson (18-7) at No. 2 Lakeland McKeel Academy (19-7), 4
In a rematch from the district final, the Dragons outlasted Robinson to beat their rival for the second time in as many weeks to advance.
The latest battle in the region quarterfinals lasted nine innings. Michael Marroquin threw seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out 11. Cameron Mallo and Jayden Vazquez each drove in a run.
Class 3A
Region 2
No. 4 Fort Myers Bishop Verot (19-9) at No. 1 Calvary Christian (24-4), 7
The Warriors, ranked first in the class and seventh in the state by MaxPreps, have won six straight games.
In the region quarterfinals, Calvary Christian beat Bell Creek Academy 11-1. The lone run allowed snapped the Warriors’ three-game shutout streak.
Liam Peterson went five innings on the mound, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out nine against the Panthers. Keeton Burroughs had two hits, including a double, and finished with six RBIs.
The Vikings advanced by beating Clearwater Central Catholic 4-2 in the quarterfinals to extend their current win streak to three games.
No. 3 Berkeley Prep (21-8) at No. 2 Tampa Catholic (21-7), 7
This is the third meeting between the rivals. They split their first two matchups with the host Crusaders winning the first last month and the Buccaneers taking the rematch in last week’s 3A-5 district final.
Berkeley Prep beat Avon Park in the quarterfinals for their 11th straight win. George Cook allowed one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts in five innings of work on the mound. Troy Reader led the offense by going 3-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs.
Tampa Catholic rebounded with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Fort Meade to advance. Roman Corinti threw 6 ⅔ scoreless innings, giving up three hits and recording 10 strikeouts. Lucas Cinnante and Alex Sotiropoulos each drove in runs.
Class 2A
Region 2
No. 6 Bishop McLaughlin (15-6-1) at No. 2 Lakeland Christian (21-5), 7
The Hurricanes’ extended their turnaround season with a 5-3 victory over Orangewood Christian in the region quarterfinals.
Matt Altman allowed two earned runs on seven hits and had two strikeouts in six innings of work on the mound. Aiden Fox went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Vikings, ranked second in the class by MaxPreps, have won straight games and are 14-1 at home.
Region 3
No. 3 Naples St. John Neumann (21-8) at No. 2 Northside Christian (22-6), 7
Since losing to Calvary Christian in the regular season finale, the Mustangs have posted three straight shutouts.
The latest came in a 10-0 victory over Carrollwood Day in the region quarterfinals.
Aiden Alvarez threw five scoreless, no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts. Andrew Williamson went 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs.
After starting the season 0-3, the Celtics have turned things around and are currently on an 11-game win streak.
