First Academy spring sports look ahead at their respective championships
ORLANDO, Fla. — The First Academy Varsity Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field teams are looking ahead to their respective State Championships.
The Royals Baseball team defeated cross-town rival Windermere Prep 10-0 for the 3A District 9 Championship, going into Regional Quarterfinals having outscored their opponents 265-57 so far this season.
Courtesy: Casey Vaughn
The TFA Baseball 2022 Senior Class has a record of 81-15, are Citrus League Champions, hold 3 District Championships, 1 State Championship, and 10 of the 11 seniors are going on to play college baseball including Ben Barrett to FSU, Riley Parker & Greg Pettay to UCF, and Isaac Sewell to Virginia Tech.
Senior pitcher Ben Barrett was named 3A聽 Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) District 11 Player of the Year. Ben was also the top vote-getter for the FACA senior all-star game in Lakeland at Tiger Town on June 6th. Head Coach Scott Grove was named 2022 FACA 3A District 11 Coach of the Year for the 8th consecutive year.
The Lady Royals Softball team took home the 2A District 7 Championship with a 4-0 win against OCP. They go into Regionals play 18-6 holding not only the District Title, but also beating Montverde Academy 2-1 for the Citrus League Championship.
The聽Lady Royals are led by seniors Camille Mackedon and Hannah Harper, who will head to the University of West Florida to play collegiate softball. Mackedon and Harper, along with teammates Mollie Duling, Molly Sheridan, and Alexis Zerquera were named to the FACA All-State team. Harper, Mackedon, Duling, Sheridan, and Grace Grant were named to the FACA All-Academic team, and Harper was named the FACA 2A District 11 Player of the year.
Both the Royals Baseball & Softball teams are the number-one seeds as they host the Regional Quarterfinals at Payne Stewart Athletic Complex on Wednesday, May 11.
Also on May 11, members of the Royals Track team head to the University of Florida to compete in the FHSAA State Championship. Competing in the Long Jump are senior and reigning State Champion and District Champion Will Richards and junior and Region Champion Emily Powelson.
Powelson will also compete in the 200m and 100m. Senior and District Champion Evan Chioli will compete in the High Jump and Triple Jump, senior Dinari Bennett will compete in the 200m, and the Royals’ District Champion Girls 4x100m and Boys 4x400m Relay teams will compete.
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