A year ago in the 6A state semifinals, the Buchholz Bobcats scored seven runs in the first inning en route to a run-rule 12-0 win over Bloomingdale (Valrico).
In their return to the state semifinal, Buchholz took advantage of two Wharton (Tampa) errors to score three runs in the opening inning, and that was enough behind pitchers JJ Gardner and Wyatt Clarke for a 3-0 win on Friday morning at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
Buchholz (33-2) will again go for their first baseball state title at 2 p.m. on Saturday against St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale). The Raiders defeated Bloomingdale (Valrico), 15-0, in the Friday afternoon state semifinal game.
Buchholz lost in the 6A title game a year ago to Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens), 10-3.
Against Wharton, Buchholz only managed two hits against Wildcats’ starting pitcher Daniel Duno, but Wharton’s shaky first-inning defense cost them.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Buchholz coach Ron Brooks said. “Who knew how big that first inning would be? I was really excited to play the 10 o’clock game because it’s something we had to prepare for last year, and we handled it well.”
The first two Wharton (27-8) batters reached in the top of the first against Gardner. After Brooks visited the mound, catcher Kai So picked a Wildcats runner off at second base and then Gardner got a strikeout and groundout to end the frame.
“Honestly, after that walk, I was a little scared,” Gardner said. “But after Kai threw him out, I felt like I was on top of it on the mound.”
So was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the first. Gardner then hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, but on the throw to second base, Duno threw the ball into center field.
After an out, Blake Brewer delivered an RBI double into left field for a 1-0 lead. Aiden Kastensmidt grounded to short but was called safe when the first baseman came off the bag and Gardner scored for a 2-0 lead.
Zac Brown then put on a safety squeeze and was tagged out, but Kastensmidt scored from third for a 3-0 advantage.
Buchholz only managed one hit the rest of the game, but they had all they needed.
“That bunt right there by Zac was huge. We were able to get that third run, and it was excellent execution on the safety squeeze,” Brooks said.
Wharton’s best chance came in the fifth when they had runners on first and second with one out. Gardner was pulled for Clarke, who immediately got Justis Meadows to line out to Brewer for a double play to end the threat.
Clarke allowed two hits but struck out three in 2.2 innings for the save. Gardner gave up four hits with seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
Now Buchholz gets another shot at the state title Saturday afternoon against a nationally-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas squad. The Bobcats are ranked 10th in the country and the Raiders are 22nd.
“It’s amazing,” Gardner said. “Last year, the mentality was first time being in the final four so it was a big opportunity for us. This year, we have a different mindset with a chip on our shoulder about how the championship game ended. We are ready for it this time.”