In a matchup that started on May 8th, the Lincoln baseball team defeated Niceville two games to one in the regional final series. The Trojans won game one 8-4 before falling 9-1 in game two and responding with a 9-2 victory in the decisive finale to advance to the state semifinals.
Lincoln opened the regional final series with an 8-4 victory over Niceville High School behind a balanced offensive performance and strong pitching relief. Lincoln finished with nine hits, including doubles from sophomore Luke Thomas, Bennett Malone and Tyson Mortham. Thomas led the Trojans offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Jayson Parker added two RBIs and Carson Koch and Tyson Bailey each drove in a run.
Lincoln used four pitchers in the win, with sophomore Jacob Rabion earning the victory after tossing a scoreless final inning. Senior Eyhan LaFuria handled the bulk of the work on the mound, allowing three earned runs across four innings with two strikeouts. Chase Fuller struck out two batters in a scoreless opening inning, and Zachary Burch also appeared in relief.
Defensively, Lincoln committed just one error and recorded 11 assists in the field. Carson Koch led the defense with four assists, while Robert Quinn finished with eight total chances without an error. Maddox Smith also added a stolen base and scored a run in the win.
Niceville answered in game two with a 9-1 win, limiting Lincoln to four hits. Cody Garber drove in the Trojans’ lone run, while Bennett Malone, AJ Johnson and Robert Quinn each added hits. Colin Walsh and Will Lizotte combined for 6.2 innings on the mound in the loss.
With the regional final series tied at one game apiece, Lincoln responded with a dominant 9-2 victory over Niceville High School in the decisive game three on May 9th to clinch the regional championship and advance to the state semifinals.
Lincoln’s offense broke through with eight hits and nine runs, highlighted by a home run from Chase Fuller, who finished with three RBIs. Bennett Malone delivered one of the biggest performances of the night, going 4-for-5 with a double, triple and RBI. Cody Garber added an RBI triple, while Carson Koch, AJ Johnson and Lucas Cannady each drove in runs. Maddox Smith scored twice, and Robert Quinn reached base three times while scoring once.
The Trojans also showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks and finishing with a .421 on-base percentage in the win. Tyson Mortham reached base three times, while Quinn posted a perfect 1.000 on-base percentage.
On the mound, sophomore Jacob Rabion threw a complete game to earn the win, allowing just two earned runs on six hits across seven innings while striking out four batters. Defensively, Lincoln committed only one error and turned a double play behind Rabion. Robert Quinn led the defense with nine putouts, while Luke Thomas and Chase Fuller helped turn the Trojans’ double play.
With the regional final victory, Lincoln High School advanced to the state semifinals, where the Trojans will face Mater Academy Charter School on May 18.
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