South Walton’s Final Four Journey
The South Walton baseball team has cemented its place in the state semifinals after a commanding performance in the Region 1‑3A finals, where it swept Suwannee and now prepares to meet Miami Springs, the reigning champions who edged the team in last year’s title game.
Game one of the series featured a dramatic walk‑off single from Justin Didier that plated two runs, while right‑hander Coleman Borthwick delivered a complete‑game masterpiece, posting a 0.12 ERA and a 9‑0 record this season.
In the nightcap, Vaughn Howard powered the offense with a three‑hit, five‑RBI explosion, and Denton Lord shut out the opposition with a stellar outing that highlighted a 0.58 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 48 2/3 innings.
The team’s momentum is underscored by a 12‑game winning streak and a season‑long scoring margin of 223‑43, a testament to a pitching staff that boasts a collective 0.12 ERA and a 0.26 WHIP.
Meanwhile, Niceville was eliminated by Lincoln in the Region 1‑5A championship, and Choctaw fell to Clay in the Region 1‑4A finals, finishing the year with a 25‑8 record after a 15‑strikeout effort from Ryland McMahan in the opening loss.