Beyond the tears and heartbreak of a season ending Thursday night, there was likely a sense of accomplishment as well for this Jay softball program, though it might not be fully appreciated until the sting of defeat wears off.
The Royals have been to the state final four the last three years, winning it all in 2022, but the dream of a fourth consecutive appearance was dashed with a 4-1 Region 1-1A semifinal loss to Holmes County on a warm evening at CH Cannon Field.
Pace’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal against Oviedo on Thursday started off a little rocky. The Patriots trailed the Lions by a couple of runs out of the gate after a first-inning home run.
But the rest of the night belonged to Pace, which dominated in a 12-2 run-rule victory at home.
Two Santa Rosa County athletes won championships at their respective regional meets this week at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Pace’s Rylee Henderson is a regional champion in the discus in 4A while Dakota Bowman of Central won a high jump title .
Spring practice wraps up next week for Pace’s football team and head coach Kent Smith likes the progress that has been made up to this point.
But there is still work to be done.
The word GRIT is on the back of the shirts being worn by Milton’s football team this spring. Head coach Kelly Gillis said it’s a theme the team embraced this offseason and has lived by in practice.
Revenge was sweet for Jay’s baseball team, which rolled over Holmes County 12-3 Tuesday night in a Region 1-1A semifinal on the road.
The Royals lost to the Blue Devils a year ago in the regional final, 9-7 in eight innings.
Tucker Ricks glances over at the board of champions in the outfield every time he plays a game at Pace. He understands the Patriots’ tradition and wants to help add to it.
Tuesday night, the junior pitcher handled his role well, working three innings of relief and helping fourth-seeded Pace hold off No. 5 seed Fleming Island 3-2 in a Region 1-6A quarterfinal.
Central’s Dakota Bowman never competed in the high jump before this season.
But there’s no question he’s made a great first impression after winning a Region 1-1A championship Tuesday at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Pace’s flag football team continues to make history.
Less than a week after winning their first regional championship, the Patriots are headed to the 2A state Final Four after beating top-seeded Timber Creek 7-0 in the Elite Eight Friday in Orlando.
