Florida baseball state championships recap: North Marion wins first state title in program history

Clearwater Calvary Christian claims Class 3A state crown; Lakeland Christian wins 2A title

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) began last Wednesday hosting the state baseball championships down at Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, with Saturday being Day No. 4 of the state semifinals and Class 2A, 3A and 4A state championship games.

Games that took place on Saturday was the Class 2A state championship between Lakeland Christian and St. Johns Country Day, then the Class 3A state title game with Clearwater Calvary Christian-North Broward Prep and 4A's North Marion-Bishop Kenny. Read more down below of our recaps on the state championships that took place and what games will be played on Monday in Fort Myers. 

Class 2A state championship: Lakeland Christian 5, St. Johns Country Day 2

For the second time in five years, the Vikings are back at the mountain top once again. With weather playing a small role in delaying the inevitable, Lakeland Christian scored four first inning runs and that ultimately proved to be all they would need. 

Vikings last won a state championship in 2019 and it would be the first under head coach Matt Diaz. Diaz began his coaching tenure with Lakeland Christian back in 2020. 

Lakeland Christian starting pitcher Carson Martin set the tone for the Vikings on the mound as he went five innings, allowed four hits, one earned run and fanned two batters. 

Class 3A state championship: Clearwater Calvary Christian 9, North Broward Prep 3

The sting of last year's disappointment in the Class 3A playoffs helped fuel the Warriors to return to Fort Myers. Clearwater Calvary Christian had been ranked the country's No. 1 team to start the preseason, proved why they're one of the best in the Sunshine State. 

The Warriors clinched winning their third state title in seven years en route to defeating the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Calvary Christian finishes the season with a record of 28-4. 

A star-studded cast of pitchers were littered all across the Warriors' roster and hitting the mound as the starter was right-hander Landen Maroudis. The 6-foot-3 senior hurler went four innings, allowing three hits, no runs and just one walk. 

Tied 2-2 heading into the sixth inning, that's when the wheels began to come off for the Eagles as the Warriors ended up tagging seven runs in the final two frames. North Broward Prep ended up committing three errors in the game. 

Class 4A state championship: North Marion 5, Bishop Kenny 0

There's a first time for everything. 

On Saturday night, it was truly a first for the North Marion Colts baseball program. North Marion senior pitcher Karson Lindsey pitched the game of his life, going the distance, allowing no runs and just one hit to lead the Colts to the program's first-ever state championship. 

What ended up becoming the difference besides the spectacular pitching performance of Lindsey was the big third inning for the Colts. North Marion was able to tag three runs on the board and that would prove to be plenty for Lindsey and crew. 

Robert Quartararo was the game's most efficient hitter on the night as the sophomore notched three hits, scored twice and drove in a run.  

Monday’s state semifinals at Lee County Sports Complex - Hammond Stadium (Fort Myers)

5A: Plantation American Heritage vs. Columbia, 10 a.m.

5A: Jesuit vs. Sebring, 1 p.m. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.