Anything can happen in a 1-game series.

Just ask Bartram Trail (St. Johns).

On Thursday night, the No. 3 seed Bears (16-11) were upset at home, 12-2 in six innings, by No. 6 seed Oakleaf (Orange Park) in an FHSAA Class 6A-Region 1 Quarterfinal.

The Knights (13-14) will await the winner of tonight’s game between No. 2 seed Buchholz and No. 7 seed Mandarin (Jacksonville).

Unlike last year, the first round of the baseball state playoffs is single elimination. The best-of-three format is in place for only the regional semifinals and finals this year.

“I don’t think the single elimination is ideal, but it won’t add pressure,” said first-year Buchholz coach Chris Malphurs. “I say that because we are focused on competing at an elite level for the game we’re in. Winning innings, plays and pitches. If we start thinking about what it looks like beyond that, that’s when things can start to go wrong for you.”

The Bobcats, who have played in consecutive Class 6A state championship games, enter tonight’s game with a little momentum.

They defeated Forest (Ocala), 5-0, in the 6A-District 2 semifinals last Wednesday, followed by a 4-2 win against Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) in Friday’s district championship game.

“Winning the district title was fantastic,” said Malphurs, the FACA District 7 Class 6A Coach of the Year. “First, for our kids and their body of work this season, being able to cap it off with a championship and achieve our first goal for the year was very rewarding. District titles are not easy to win, and this group won their fourth straight, which is something that hasn’t been done here since the 2009 team won a fifth straight title.”

Buchholz (19-7) is currently riding an 8-game winning streak.

“I don’t think there is any one thing I can put my finger on that we can say has been the key to our play lately,” Malphurs said. “I think it’s a number of things. The pitching staff not being overworked and still as fresh as they were in February is probably the biggest thing. We’ve shared the workload across our staff in an effort to be strong in April and May. I do think we’re in a great spot in terms of our personnel and the way they’re all playing. Hopefully, we’re not peaking yet but moving in that direction to be at our best within the next couple of weeks.”

To get to next weekend’s regional semifinals, Buchholz will have to defeat a Mandarin team that has won 15 games but was on the bubble heading into last week’s Class 6A-District 3 tournament.

The top-seeded Mustangs (15-12) defeated No. 4 seed First Coast (Jacksonville), 5-1, in the semifinals, followed by a 4-3 win at home against No. 3 seed Fletcher (Neptune Beach) in the district championship game to punch their ticket.

“That’s not by accident,” Malphurs said. “They are a quality opponent with a good ace that we’ll see Friday night. We feel we have a good idea on the style in which they play and have a good plan in place, but winning is not going to be easy. I’m hoping our postseason experience and home field will give us a little edge, but we’re prepared for a battle with these guys.”

Although they bat just .269 as a team, they counter with a team earned run average (ERA) of 2.35, led by Zach Bouchard (4-2, 1.72 ERA).

Bouchard, who pitched a complete game with no walks in the championship game, has tossed 44.2 innings with only eight walks and 34 strikeouts. He is one of five pitchers with an ERA of 1.77 or better.

Buchholz is loaded with talent, including seven college signees.

They are batting .308 as a team with 13 home runs, and the ‘Cats counter with a 1.91 ERA.

Senior Aidan Kastensmidt (3-1, 2.74 ERA), a Jacksonville University signee, is five strikeouts away from 200 for his career, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University signee Cohen Lafler (3-1, 2.06 ERA) is four away from 100.

The pair, along with Florida Gulf Coast University signee Reed Thomas (6-0, 0.61 ERA) and JU signee Dion Wilburn (5-3, 2.23 ERA), are referred to as the “four horsemen.”

Malphurs said the depth on the mound will help in a potential 3-game series, but tonight at 7 p.m., it’s win or the season is over.

You can listen to the game online (audio only) with Mainstreet Daily News sports director Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) and former Buchholz baseball coach Ron Brooks (Color) calling the action beginning at 6:45 p.m.

In 2025, Buchholz had the most wins in the state (33), but the best record in Gainesville this year belongs to Saint Francis Catholic Academy.

The Wolves (21-4) won their second straight district title last week with a 10-1 win at home against rival Oak Hall School in the 1A-District 5 championship game.

“Winning back-to-back district titles is a tremendous honor for this program,” said first-year Saint Francis Catholic coach Chris Santamarina. “Knowing where we started and how far we’ve come speaks volumes about the talent and dedication of these players. From day one, I set a clear standard. We were going to make sure everyone knows who the Wolves are and prove any doubters wrong who believed our program was weak.”

Just like Buchholz, the Wolves are playing in a single-game elimination at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

“It definitely raises the intensity, but we prepare with purpose,” Santamarina said. “I intentionally put my players in uncomfortable situations during practice so they’re ready for moments like this. That preparation builds a level of confidence that many of these athletes don’t often experience outside of high school baseball.”

Saint Francis Catholic is the No. 3 seed in Class 1A-Region 2 and will host No. 6 seed Lake Mary Prep (14-8).

“They’re a solid team and just like anyone else at this stage, they’ve earned the right to be here,” Santamarina said. “The playoffs are different. You never know what kind of performance an athlete will rise to in these moments. What matters most is that they’ve made it this far, and one thing is certain: my Wolves will not let up.”

The Wolves are peaking at the right time with eight straight wins.

“The key to our eight-game winning streak is simple: focus,” said Santamarina, the FACA District 7 Class 1A Coach of the Year. “I’ve told the team from the beginning that every positive and negative moment in this game, and in life, serves a greater purpose. We don’t dwell on our emotions. We trust in God, stay grounded, and adopt a next-pitch mentality.”

They are led by freshman Carson Long, the FACA District 7 Class 1A Player of the Year.

Long leads the team with a .536 batting average, a .683 on-base percentage, slugging percentage (.929), runs batted in (30), runs scored (30), home runs (4), stolen bases (27), and is tied for the team lead in hits (with sophomore Andy Janelle – 30).

He also leads the pitching staff with a 2.84 ERA (at least 11 IP) and strikeouts (60).

Saint Francis Catholic Academy is chasing its 22nd win of the season, which would be the most in program history. The Wolves, who lead Class 1A with 241 runs scored, are 13-0 at home this season.

You can listen to Saturday’s game on Mainstreet (audio only) with Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Jack Jankowski (Color) calling the action beginning at 3:45 p.m.

Buchholz and Saint Francis Catholic Academy are two of nine area teams that are participating in this year’s FHSAA regional playoffs. 

The winners advance to the regional semifinals (Best-of-3) next Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.

FHSAA Baseball state playoffs
(teams in the Mainstreet coverage area in bold)

All times at 7 p.m. unless noted

Friday, April 24 (Classes 4A-7A)

Class 5A-Region 1 Quarterfinals
3 Mosley (Lynn Haven) at 6 Columbia (Lake City)

Class 6A-Region 1 Quarterfinals
7 Mandarin (Jacksonville) at 2 Buchholz – Game will be broadcast on Mainstreet (audio only) beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, April 24 (Classes 1A-3A)

Class 1A-Region 2 Quarterfinals
8 Oak Hall School at 1 Orangewood Christian (Maitland), 6 p.m.
6 Lake Mary Prep at 3 Saint Francis Catholic Academy, 4 p.m. – Game will be broadcast on Mainstreet (audio only) beginning at 3:45 p.m.

Class 3A-Region 1 Quarterfinals
6 West Nassau (Callahan) at 3 Suwannee (Live Oak)

Friday, May 1 (All classes)
Best-of-3 series

Rural-Region 3 Semifinals
4 Madison County at 1 Union County (Lake Butler)
3 Lafayette (Mayo) at 2 Aucilla Christian (Monticello)

Rural-Region 4 Semifinals
4 Dixie County (Cross City) at 1 Trenton
3 Williston at 2 Marathon

1A-7A Region Semifinals (TBD)