A Dominant Performance in Niceville
South Walton baseball avenged a previous loss to Miami Springs, securing a 6-2 victory in the 3A state semifinal on Thursday night.
Coleman Borthwick delivered a masterful outing, striking out 11 batters and posting a 0.21 ERA, setting the tone for the team.
Reliever Parker Granse closed the game with six flawless outs, allowing just two hits and a walk, and recorded the save while holding Miami Springs to a 2-for-14 performance with runners in scoring position.
The offense erupted in the second inning, where a timely hit by Declan Fowler sparked a three-run burst, complemented by contributions from Carter Hawk, Hudson Quinn and Whitney that put South Walton ahead early.
Jayden Cunningham drove in Fowler with an RBI double in the sixth, extending the lead, while Vaughn Howard made a diving catch in the seventh to preserve the margin.
With the win, South Walton improves to 29-4 and remains unbeaten in the postseason, boasting a 72-6 run differential, and now stands one victory away from its first state championship.
The team will next face the winner of South Sumter and North Broward, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT Thursday at Hammond Stadium.