St. Thomas Aquinas Wins Florida Class 6A State Baseball Title

St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team captured the Class 6A state championship with an 8-3 victory over top-seeded Buchholz at Hammond Stadium, marking their fourth state title and first under Manager Joey Wardlow. The Raiders, known for their strong offense averaging 9.3 runs per game, scored six runs in the first two innings and maintained control throughout, capitalizing on Buchholz mistakes and consistent hitting. Pitching was pivotal, with Jonathan Lopez allowing three runs in five innings and A.J. Lopez providing two scoreless innings of relief, effectively neutralizing Buchholz's offense after an early two-run homer by J.J. Gardner. Buchholz, despite a strong season and a home run that momentarily closed the gap, was unable to overcome St. Thomas's early lead and offensive pressure. The Raiders' success was also highlighted by solid defense, including a notable catch by Zico Sabatino during the playoffs. This victory continued St. Thomas's legacy of baseball excellence, while Buchholz fell short in their second consecutive state title game appearance.