BASEBALL

First Academy scores early runs, denies Bolles in FHSAA baseball semifinal

Tom Corwin
Special to the Times-Union
Orlando First Academy's Khadin Bastian tries to slide in around the tag of Bolles third baseman Tanner Zellem during Monday's FHSAA Class 3A baseball semifinal.

FORT MYERS – The Bolles baseball team fell just one run short of snapping Orlando First Academy’s 20-game winning streak and a berth in the Class 3A state championship game.

The Royals scored two runs in the second inning of their state semifinal game, and they held up after Isaac Sewell pitched a four-hitter as First Academy beat Bolles 2-1 Monday morning at Hammond Stadium in Southwest Florida.

The Royals (30-1) now meet Miami Westminster Academy in the 3A title game at 4 p.m. Tuesday here.

Bolles pitcher Jackson Baumeister allowed only six hits while striking out 10. But the Royals' penchant for the big hit propelled them to the title game. Isaac Sewell struck out seven and walked only two. 

Bolles starter Jackson Baumeister delivers a pitch against Orlando First Academy.

The Bulldogs rallied late in the sixth inning but couldn’t tie up the game.

“This was a tough one. First Academy just outplayed us out there,” said Bolles coach Mike Boswell. “We fought to the very end. We have fought all year long, so it was no big surprise we did it again.”

Jaden Flowers had two hits and an RBI for the Bulldogs (25-5).

“The big difference in the game was that [First Academy] was able to find the gaps,” Flowers said. “And we weren’t able to do that. That was pretty much it.”

First Academy's Isaac Sewell throws a pitch against Bolles. Sewell earned the victory in a complete game.

For First Academy, Greg Pettay and Khadin Bastian each had two hits and Pettay had both of the Royals’ RBI.

“We were fortunate to come out on top,” said First Academy coach Scott Grove. “We came in today relaxed, and we were ready to do what we’ve done all year long. The Bolles pitcher had a great game.”

The Royals have not lost since March 13, against Bishop Moore.

Sewell felt the key was keeping his composure in the biggest game the Royals have played all year – with an even bigger game for all the marbles coming Tuesday.

“The important thing was to stay in control,” Sewell said. “I had to not let my emotions get the best of me. I just tried to keep on pitching and not let myself get tired.”

First Academy did all of its scoring in the second inning.

Bolles players react after losing the FHSAA Class 3A baseball semifinal 2-1 to Orlando First Academy.

With one out, Trent Kelly reached on an infield error and then went to second one out later when Jayden Bastian was hit by a pitch. After a wild pitch advanced both runners 90 feet, Pettay then blooped a single into left field, scoring two. That staked the Royals to a 2-0 lead after two innings.

Bolles missed out on a few opportunities to tie or take the lead later in the game

Tanner Zellem led off the fourth with a walk and Flowers singled him to second. Matthew Anderson then forced Zellem out at third with a grounder back to the pitcher, with Flowers going on to second. After the second out, designated hitter Aidan Lynch singled to left, but then he went down with a hip injury near the batter’s box. So he was retired at first to end the inning.

The Bulldogs scored their only run in the sixth inning. Zellem doubled to center and then scored on Flowers’ base hit to right. But then one out later, Flowers was doubled off first to end the inning.