Four-Run Fourth Sinks Lakeland Christian In 2A Semifinal

Maclain Irby was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the 2A state semifinal.

Winning at the FHSAA Final Four tournament is not easy. Although the Lakeland Christian Vikings have an excellent history in running the tables to a state title in each of their previous two trips to the state tournament, none of those victories came easy. The margin of error is small in games of this magnitude, and Monday’s Class 2A semifinal was no different.

Behind one big inning that broke open a tie ball game, the Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors earned a 7-2 win over Lakeland Christian to end it’s championship hopes. The Conquerors (26-8) rode a big fourth inning to victory at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, advancing to Tuesday’s title game in pursuit of their second state crown.

The Vikings (23-6) suffered their first loss at the Final Four to abruptly end a stellar season that helped maintain the high standard that the program has set in winning two state titles in the past seven years. They defeated the defending state champions, The First Academy, in the regional finals to earn a berth at the Final Four. The Vikings also earned their first district title in four years, and ninth overall, as well as winning the Polk County Championship.

Lakeland Christian actually led early on after it jumped out with an early 2-0 edge with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Senior Gavin Byrd led off with a single to left field, then stole second base and advanced to third on an error. Parker Kant then got the job done with a ground ball to the shortstop for a 6-3 RBI groundout.

Nathan Diaz bats during the 2A state semifinal.

The Vikings kept stringing them together to tack on another run. Brody Brenneman had a base hit to center and Maclain Irby drove him in with an RBI double to right.

But Trinity Christian answered right back with its first swings. Lead-off hitter Brady Harris wasted no time in leading the response, as he stroked a triple into the left field corner to immediately ignite his offense, then scored on a sac fly from Aiden Arnett to cut the deficit in half.

That was only the start of Harris’ big day at the plate. He connected for another triple his second time around, and also drew a pair of walks to reach base all four plate appearances. He also scored all four times.

Jaxson Rodriguez hauls in a popup during the 2A state semifinal.

The Conquerors tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third on Harris’ second three-bagger, and took the lead with four runs in the fourth. Starting pitcher Ethan Wheeler worked a lead-off walk and was replaced on the bases by courtesy-runner Braylen Taylor, Chris Reali was hit by a pitch and then Harris was intentionally walked to set up a force-out opportunity at any base.

But Arnett spoiled that plan with a base hit to center that drove in two runs and put Trinity in the lead, where it stayed the rest of the way. Jordan Martinez next plated two more with a single to left field.

Lakeland Christian struggled to string a rally together against Conquerors starter Ethan Wheeler, who earned the win following six strong innings of work. Wheeler settled in and allowed only two more hits and a walk over his final five frames of action, and he recorded seven strikeouts.

Both teams joined together for a team prayer following the game.

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