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FHSAA State Championships: 6A Recap

May 19, 2025
Rocco Iervasi & Cayden Hatcher
Prep Baseball Florida Directors



FORT MYERS, FL – The 2025 FHSAA Class 6A Baseball State Championships at Hammond Stadium delivered a showcase of power, precision, and passion, with the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders storming to the title. Facing Buchholz and Bloomingdale, the Raiders blended explosive offense and steady pitching to cement their legacy as champions.

Semifinal: Buchholz vs. Wharton

The action kicked off on Friday, May 16, as the Buchholz Bobcats faced the Wharton Wildcats in a pitcher’s duel that showcased their defensive prowess. Buchholz’s JJ Gardner was a force on the mound, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, and striking out seven to earn the win. Wharton’s Daniel Duno battled valiantly, surrendering three runs (two earned) on two hits over six innings with eight strikeouts, but the Bobcats’ early offense proved decisive.
Buchholz struck in the first inning, with Blake Brewer’s double down the left-field line, Aiden Kastensmidt’s fielder’s choice, and Zac Brown’s sacrifice bunt each driving in a run for a 3-0 lead. Brewer and Cedaris Smith each went 1-for-3, anchoring a lineup that needed only two hits to secure the victory. Wyatt Clarke earned the save, sealing the shutout.
Wharton’s offense out-hit Buchholz but were unable to get on the scoreboard with Alex Capezutti, Chase Anello, Justis Meadows, Jairius Morris, Chase Andress, and Drew Cobb each managing a single hit. Despite their efforts, the Wildcats couldn’t crack Gardner’s command, falling 3-0. Buchholz advanced to the final.

Semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Bloomingdale

In the other semifinal, St. Thomas Aquinas unleashed an offensive onslaught against the Bloomingdale Bulls, cruising to a 15-0 victory. The Raiders erupted in the first inning, with Jonathan Lopez’s single, Brady Buxbaum’s single, Andrew Alvarez’s double, and Cole Lasher’s single. The second inning saw Alvarez’s single and Lasher’s double add to the lead, while Nico Sabatino’s solo home run to right field in the third made it 9-0.
The fourth inning was the knockout blow, as St. Thomas Aquinas scored six runs on three hits, fueled by Zack Malvasio’s two-RBI single, an error, and Joshua Jennings’ single. Thomas Giltner earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and striking out two.
AJ Cruz and Mason Johnson each had a hit for the Bulls, but they couldn’t keep pace with St. Thomas Aquinas’ relentless attack. The Raiders marched to the final.

Final: St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Buchholz

On Saturday, May 17, St. Thomas Aquinas faced Buchholz in a championship clash that showcased their offensive depth. The Raiders struck first in the top of the first, with Brady Buxbaum’s double to left field, and Andrew Alvarez’s single to center each driving in a run for a 3-0 lead. Buchholz answered immediately, as JJ Gardner’s two-run homer to center field in the bottom of the first cut the deficit to 3-2.
St. Thomas Aquinas regained control in the second, with Lopez’s double and Jennings’ single pushing the lead to 5-2. The Raiders piled on, finishing with 11 hits and an 8-3 victory. Jonathan Lopez earned the win, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings with three strikeouts, while AJ Lopez secured the save. Malvasio, Lasher, and Alvarez each had two hits, with Jennings and Lopez driving in two runs apiece.
Buchholz fought hard, with Gardner leading the offense with two RBIs, going 2-for-4, and Brewer going 3-for-4. St. Thomas Aquinas’ early surge and steady pitching proved too much to overcome.

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