St Thomas Back In State Title Game For Second Straight Year

6A Semifinal Photo Gallery: St. Thomas vs. Land O’Lakes

6A Semifinal Press Conference: St. Thomas

Friday afternoon had to feel a little awkward for the St. Thomas baseball family. The past few weeks have been filled with roller coaster-type games, as the defending 6A champions had to come back late in both the regional semifinals game three, and the regional finals game three, to advance back to Fort Myers for the second straight season.

Everyone that has followed the Raiders journey, just assumed that the state semifinal against Land O’Lakes would provide similar drama.

That was not the case, however, as St. Thomas took an early 3-0 lead, then cruised to a 4-1 win over the Gators, ensuring the chance for the Raiders to do something no St. Thomas team has ever done. Win back to back state titles.

“We were up here last year, and won, but we made sure early on to recognize that last year was last year, and that this year was a new team and a new opportunity,” said St. Thomas Manager Joey Wardlow. “After all the come from behind wins throughout these playoffs, it was nice to get a lead and then have that lead hold up all game.”

One of the reasons that lead held up all game was the performance of Julian Diaz. The senior went the distance, allowing only three hits and one unearned run, while striking out five.

“It was nice to get those three runs early. It allowed me to settle in and just pitch my game,” said Diaz. “And the defense behind me is always strong.”

One of those defensive gems happened in the third inning. With St. Thomas up 3-1, and the Gators rallying for the first time in the game, Brody Marks drilled a ball that appeared to be going up the middle for a base hit. The ball hit Diaz, and bounced towards second base, where Raiders shortstop Jaden Doverspike was covering the bag with the runner from first stealing on the hit-and-run attempt.

Doverspike cut the ball off, quickly stepped on second, and completed the double play, ending the threat.

“That play by Doverspike was outstanding,” said Wardlow. “That was a time in the game where they had a little momentum, and that play brought the momentum back to us.”

The game stayed 3-1 into the fifth, and with tensions running high, Brady Buxbaum delivered the hit that would let the Raiders faithful exhale. Buxbaum drove a double to center, scoring Nico Sabatino, and extending the lead to 4-1.

“That was a great at-bat,” said Wardlow. “And they were playing their outfield in a bit, so he reeally had to get into it to get it by them in that situation. It was an insurance run that was needed at the time.”

From there, Diaz was able to close out the Gators over the final two innings.

The game may have been closer had it not been for the three runs in the Raiders first. St. Thomas scored three runs, on just one hit, a two-run double from Hayden Robinson.

“Getting that lead allowed us to settle into the game,” said Wardlow. “We have had so many games that have been wild, and these guys have always come up with the big hits when we needed them. Today, we just got those hits earlier, which gave us a lead.”

Now, St. Thomas will try to do something no Raiders baseball team has ever done, win back-to-back state titles.

“These guys are really close, and it is such a family. Every year is different, and these guys are writing their own history. We had a goal coming into the year, and we have one game left to complete that goal,” said Wardlow.

The title game will be at 2PM today, as the Raiders will take on Bucholtz, who defeated Martin County 3-2, in Friday’s first semifinal.

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