Baseball Advances to State Final Four, Defeating Gulf Coast State College

Game 1, May 2

The top of the order set the tone, with Karson Grout going 4-for-6 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Calin Heath added a 4-for-5 day with a double and a home run. The middle of the order did the heavy damage: Steele Burd powered the offense with a home run and three RBIs, Holden Brauner also homered with two RBIs, and Josh Castellani contributed two RBIs and extra-base production. Additional multi-hit efforts came from Ryan Kaitz and Dominic Woodward, helping SCF maintain constant pressure on the Gulf Coast pitching staff.

Gulf Coast State kept pace offensively behind a strong power surge of its own. Brayden Mann was the centerpiece, driving in six runs with two home runs in a massive performance. Carson Zagryn also left the yard twice, while Aiden Zagryn and others contributed steady contact hitting to keep the game within reach.

On the mound, both staffs struggled to contain the offenses. SCF starter Lochlan Radloff battled through seven innings, allowing seven earned runs but striking out seven while surviving multiple home runs. The bullpen, including Andrew Raucci and Riley McDonald, helped secure the final outs as SCF gradually closed the door. Gulf Coast State's pitching staff was hit early and often, with Jordan Martinez taking the loss after SCF's offense built an early cushion and never fully relented.

Game 2, May 3

Gulf Coast State's lineup was relentless from the start, collecting 10 hits that translated into 15 runs, with nearly every starter contributing to the barrage. Bray Touchstone delivered one of the biggest performances of the day, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs. Lucas Badalato also provided major damage, finishing 3-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs, and multiple extra-base hits. Sam Brown added another home run and two RBIs, while Andrew Johnson contributed a homer and an RBI as part of the early offensive wave. Additional run production came from Aiden Zagryn and others as Gulf Coast State consistently capitalized on every opportunity.

Josh Castellani and Karson Grout accounted for the only hits, while the rest of the lineup was held in check by dominant pitching and defensive execution from Gulf Coast State.

On the mound, Gulf Coast starter Ian Swanson delivered a strong outing, tossing five shutout innings while striking out seven and allowing just two hits. His command set the tone for a complete team effort that never allowed SCF to settle in offensively. SCF's pitching staff, meanwhile, was unable to contain the early power surge, with multiple pitchers surrendering home runs as Gulf Coast State built an insurmountable lead.

Game 3, May 4

Ben Ryan led the home run barrage with a 2-for-5 day that included a grand total of three RBIs, while Holden Brauner stayed red-hot, going 2-for-4 with a home run, four runs scored, and two RBIs. Steele Burd added another homer and two RBIs, and Will Rawls turned in a perfect 3-for-3 performance with a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Additional production came from Karson Grout, Ryan Kaitz, Dominic Woodward, Josh Castellani, and Calin Heath, giving SCF consistent traffic on the bases throughout the game.

Gulf Coast State kept pace early with a solid 10-hit effort of its own. Lucas Badalato was the standout, driving in three runs with a home run, while Sam Brown and Gavin Howard also added key RBIs. Bray Touchstone contributed multiple hits, but the lineup could not keep up with SCF's sustained power output.

On the mound, SCF starter Riley McDonald worked through seven innings, allowing five runs while striking out six to earn the win. Gulf Coast's pitching staff struggled to contain SCF's long-ball surge, with multiple arms surrendering home runs as the game slipped away in the middle innings.