Tuesday Roundup: Taylor Jefferson's walk-off propels Navarre softball past Gulf Breeze

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Lucas Semb can be reached at lsemb@gannett.com or 850-281-7414.

Patrick Bernadeau can be reached at pbernadeau@gannett.com or 850-503-3828.

Here's a roundup of scores from Tuesday, April 26, 2022:

Softball

Navarre 2, Gulf Breeze 1

The Raiders and Dolphins are mirror images of one another.

The teams entered the final week of the regular season with matching records with each playing solidly as of late. Additionally, both squads learned that they will enjoy first-round byes in their respective district tournaments.

So it only makes sense that the two evenly-matched teams played that fact out against one another in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night.

Thanks to the bat, speed and alertness of Taylor Jefferson, Navarre emerged with a walk-off home victory against Gulf Breeze. The sophomore outfielder delivered a triple to drive in the game-tying run. As Jefferson slid in safely, the throw into third base skipped away, allowing the night’s hero to race to the plate.

“I’m just on a high right now,” Jefferson said. “Gulf Breeze is our rival, so it always feels good to come out and have a good game against them.”

Raiders head coach Kelly Hayes added: “I will say that with this team, we’re not down and out until we’ve completed all seven (innings). I knew we were going to put up a fight there at the end.”

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The visitors pulled ahead in the top of the second inning following a sacrifice fly from their starter in the circle. Freshman pitcher Jacey Reed was dynamite throughout the night as she held Navarre at bay until the final frame.

“We executed the majority of the plan. We played great defense tonight and that’s kind of been one of our missing pieces. The only thing is we just sat on that one run,” Gulf Breeze head coach Chelsea McGehee said. “We needed to have our offense support our defense and our pitching a little bit more. But I couldn’t be prouder of our bunch. Navarre, they’re going to be fighters. They’re well-coached and hard-playing kids and we love playing Navarre just because it ultimately makes us better.”

The Raiders have reeled off wins in their last three contests and improved their record to 14-8 this season. Meanwhile, the Dolphins dropped to 13-9 and saw their three-game winning streak come to a close.

Here’s three takeaways from the softball edition of the Beach Bowl:

‘I just wanted to score’

The Dolphins held Navarre to two hits leading up to the decisive frame.

Junior catcher Cailyn Cooke, who doubled off Reed to lead off the second, opened the bottom of the seventh with a ground-ball single up the middle. She was then moved to second on a Renee Hester sacrifice bunt, setting the stage for Jefferson.

Early in the at-bat, the sophomore appeared over-matched when she was late on a Reed offering. Battling to a 2-2 count, Jefferson lifted a fly ball to the gap in left-center field that reached the fence on a hop.

Courtesy-runner Cici Steadman rounded third to tie the game at 1-1 as Jefferson used her wheels to race to third. Her aggression on the bases forced a mistake and ended the game.

“At first, I wasn’t as settled as I should be. The energy was high, but I settled down,” Jefferson said. “It was just a middle-out pitch and I swung at it.

“I’m just thinking ‘I hope that’s down, I hope that’s down,’ cause I just wanted to score.”

Four of Navarre’s last five games have been decided by one run. With Tuesday’s result, the team is 5-2 in one-run contests in 2022.

“I think this is exactly what we needed right before (the postseason),” Hayes said. “I tell them all the time, ‘this is where we need to get hot and have those big at-bats.’ And it’s because of the experiences we’ve had all season that’s led us to that point to feel comfortable whenever you’re down 1-0. … I’m very excited about where we are headed next week.”

'She’s a gamer'

It’s fair to say that Reed deserved better.

Driving in her team’s only run, the freshman spun it well enough to be on the winning end.

She was particularly effective in forcing ground balls to the left side of the infield. That’s where freshman Jasmine Johnson at third and junior shortstop Kaylee King vacuumed up everything hit their way.

“She’s a gamer and I can not be more proud about that kid,” McGehee said of Reed’s performance. “She works very, very hard in her bullpens; she makes a goal and she sticks to it and finds a way to be successful.”

Reed ended with this statline: two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts through 6 1/3 innings.

McGehee was most encouraged with how quickly Reed sat down her opponents. Excluding the bottom of the seventh, the freshman needed less than 10 pitches to retire the side on four occasions.

With a tough slate of games ahead and the postseason quickly approaching, McGehee reminded her pitchers that they were on a low pitch-count. Reed’s efficient outing followed McGehee’s game plan to a T.

“I said ‘go after batters’ and that’s what she did tonight,” McGehee said. “I think for one inning, her highest pitch-count was 15 pitches. You can’t ask for more out of a kid. And I’m proud of our defense for stepping up and playing defense behind her.”

‘I pick us every time’

As well as Reed pitch, Jessica Farrer would not be outdone.

A second-inning double from sophomore outfielder Kenna King was the only hit the Dolphins got off the Raiders junior. Farrer tossed a complete game, allowing two walks while fanning six.

Earlier in the day, the state released its final regular-season rankings, which are used to determine district seeding.

Navarre is the No. 3 seed in the District 1-6A tournament and has a semifinal game against No. 2 Niceville at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Given how well Farrer performed against the Dolphins and how the team executed down the stretch, Haley has loads of confidence heading into the postseason.

“I like our mental state right now. I don’t think we are overly-pressing,” Hayes said. I think we are understanding the game a little bit better. And bottom line, if we play great defense and we throw strikes, then we’re going to be successful. I believe in this team offensively. If we are doing what we need to on the other end of it, then I’ll pick us every time.”

On the other end, Gulf Breeze is seeded second in the District 1-5A tourney. The Dolphins are set to face No. 3 Pine Forest in a semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

McGehee’s confidence moving forward stems from players like Reed. Starting the season on junior varsity, the freshman was thrusted into the rotation due to injuries. Others have showcased their skills and commitment within the team's next-player-up mantra.

“I love to see that everyone is stepping up and accepting a role when they’re thrown into it,” McGehee said. “We do a lot of that in practice, practicing in primary, secondary and tertiary positions. So I think they’re all ready.”

Jay 10, Central 0 (F/5)

Alayna Lowery again couldn't be stopped as she led the host Royals toppled the the Jaguars. Jay has reeled off 10 straight wins.

In the abbreviated game, the Royals senior tossed a complete-game one hitter. She relinquished two walks and finished with five strikeouts. Currently extending her hitting streak to 17 games, Lowery's impact extended to the plate as she smacked a second-inning home run. The senior has hit a home run in six of her last seven games.

Elsewhere for the Royals (14-5), Caitlyn Gavin went 2-for-3 with a double while Ella Nelson also had a double and reached three things.

Karyn Riley recorded the only hit for Central (10-7).

Pace 10, Milton 0 (F/5)

The Patriots blanked an opponent for the third game in a row following a home win against the Panthers.

And as no surprise, Jayden Heavener was the person responsibly for Milton's zeros on the scoreboard. The Pace sophomore notched her sixth no-hitter of the season. She didn't conceded a walk and had 14 strikeouts.

Offensively, Heavener clubbed her fifth home run of the season and finished with two RBIs. Nine players recorded base hits for the Patriots. Riley Forbes, Bethany Dean, Marlee Middleton, Mallory and Shelby McKenzie each had a pair of hits.

Escambia 4, West Florida 2

Held scoreless through the first four innings, the Gators rallied for a comeback win on the road over the Jaguars. Escambia cracked the scoring column with a run in the fifth inning before surging ahead with three runs in the sixth.

The Gators snapped a three-game skid while West Florida has dropped its last three contests.

Lamonika Sims led the visitors offensively with a double and three RBIs. Madelynn Ladner posted a team-best two hits. She drove in a run and scored a run. The Jaguars got two hits from Madelyn McAnally.

Pitchers on each side dished out complete-game efforts. Siniaya Hardy collected the victory after relinquishing two runs (both unearned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Fanning six batters, Hailey O'Connor was tagged with the loss after giving up four unearned runs on eight hits and three walks.

Baseball

Catholic 15, Lighthouse Private 5 (F/6)

After losing three consecutive games for the first time since the 2006-2007 season, the Crusaders are back to their winning ways with a two-game sweep of the Stingrays, winning Tuesday's contest by run rule.

Colton Guillot got the start for Lighthouse, and despite a quality season, the eighth grader didn't have the stuff to get past Catholic. The Crusaders scored at least two runs in every inning, taking care of Stingray relivers as well.

Sophomore Jackson Kohr was a flawless 4-of-4 from the plate, coming around to score three times. Chris Rembert, Scott Sanderson, Will Krehely and Jackson Hiatt paced the home team with two RBIs each.

On the visitors side, senior Jackson Steinmetz was a bright spot by chipping in two RBIS of his own.

Pensacola Catholic ends its regular season after press time Wednesday in a high-powered matchup versus Pace while the Stingrays conclude their schedule at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pine Forest.

Holmes County 8, Milton 6

A late meltdown sent the Panthers to their third-straight loss despite much improved play as of late. After earning a surprise win over Pensacola Catholic last week, they've now dropped close games versus stiff competition.

Trailing 4-3 entering the sixth inning, the Blue Devils swung their bats to the tune of five runs over the final two frames. Milton couldn't keep pace, scoring just two seventh-inning runs before its rally fell short.

Sophomore Dylen Houk and senior Cameron Collins led the way for the home team with two RBIs each with Houk also drawing a pair of walks.

The Panthers next play at 7 p.m. Thursday at Navarre.

Northview 9, Jay 5

Taking retribution for an earlier-season loss to the Royals, Northview put up a six-run third inning to take control of the ball game and never looked back.

Of its nine runs, four came from the bat of junior Rustin Pope. That output moved him to 28 RBIs on the season, a team-leading mark. Elsewhere, teammate Josh Landis was faultless in the batter's box, going 3-for-3 and reaching a fourth time by getting plunked.

For Jay, Cole Dunsford's three RBIs were not enough to catch up to the Chiefs.

Both teams now prepare for District 1-1A Tournament play beginning next week.

Tate 9, Niceville 6

With Niceville in town for games on back-to-back days versus Milton and Tate, the Eagles weren't as fortunate on day two when they ran into one of the state's best clubs.

Tied 4-4 through midway through the fourth inning, the Aggies put a three-spot on the scoreboard that gave them room to work with the rest of the way. Their stats were unavailable in improving to 20-2.

They stay at home to play Escambia after press time Wednesday.

Booker T. Washington 11, Central 1 (F/5)

Records were thrown to the wayside in this one as Washington (8-14) got ahold of Central (13-11) for a run-rule victory in its regular-season denouement.

The Jaguars' pitching staff only recorded three strikeouts while allowing 11 hits and six walks, all of which caused crowded base paths. Conversely, they only scored one run courtesy of a Sayler Melton RBI knock. Stats were unavailable for Washington.

Central has one more tune-up before their district tournament at 6 p.m. Thursday versus West Florida. Washington will play Tate in the first round of its respective district tournament on Monday.

Pine Forest 13, Pensacola 2 (F/5)

In the third run-rule of the evening, the Tigers were unable to get in the win column for the first time all season versus Pine Forest. The Eagles scored in every inning of the lopsided game besides one.

In the top of the fifth, Pensacola got an RBI from both Julio Guzman and Joseph Stevenson, but the home team responded with a quad of its own to effectively end the contest.

Pensacola will have one last chance to record a win before districts in a game versus Fort Walton Beach at 6 p.m. Friday. Pine Forest welcomes Lighthouse at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Gulf Pointe Latin 7, East Hill 5

Playing just a four-inning game during this meeting, the Gladiators scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning before blanking the Eagles in the bottom of the frame to escape with a come-from-behind victory.

Despite swatting just one hit, a double, sophomore Issac Garrett had a game-high five RBIs. By simply putting the ball in play and reaching on an error another time, he was able to add to the tally. Freshman teammate Sam Sullins plated the remaining two runs with a pair of singles while also drawing a walk.

Neither team shows any more contests on their schedules.

Central Christian (Ala.) 14, Trinitas Christian 4

Last but not least, Trinitas was run-ruled by the visiting Saints to put an end to their regular-season calendar. It took them a few innings to get going, pushing a run across for the first time in the third inning but by then, it was too little too late.

Trinitas Christian plays Pensacola Christian Academy at 4 p.m. Friday in the opening round of the Panhandle Christian Conference West Regional Tournament.

Girls Lacrosse

Class 1A Regional Semifinals

No. 2 St. Augustine 13, No. 3 Catholic 6

The area's last-standing lacrosse team saw its best season in program history come to an end on Tuesday night with a road loss on the east coast. Stats were unavailable.

Catholic has lots to hang its hats on this season and much to look forward to. It will return all four of their highest-scoring players next season, meaning a deeper run could be in store.

The Crusaders conclude the 2022 campaign with a 16-5 overall record.

Flag Football

District 1-1A Tournament

No. 4 Gulf Breeze 31, No. 5 Pine Forest 0

Last time these two teams met was less than a week ago with the Dolphins winning by a single-digit margin. On Tuesday night, they made things a bit more convincing in advancing to the District 1-1A semifinals. Stats were unavailable.

The win pushed Gulf Breeze to 10-3 on the season, but a much tougher foe awaits just a day later. The Dolphins head to Tallahassee to take on the Florida A&M Baby Rattlers after press time Wednesday. That team is 8-1 with its sole loss coming to Tampa-Robinson.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Roundup: Navarre softball lifted by walk-off, Jay softball wins again