POLK COUNTY...HOTBED OF BASEBALL/SOFTBALL!

At least it seems that way, the way our prep teams have made their way into the FHSAA regional rounds.

Tuesday, Winter Haven routed Tampa Jefferson 9-0 behind a 15 strikeout performance by senior Jordan Schafer to take their 4A regional final. The Blue Devils now face Ponte Verda Beach Nease on May 27 on Sarasota in the state semifinals.

McKeel Academy of Technology has both baseball and softball teams in playoff action. The Wildcat baseball team won the 2A regional title at home with a 6-5 decision over Berkeley Prep. They will now face Arlington Country Day of Jacksonville next Wednesday. The McKeel softballers also bring home a regional championship, winning 8-1 over Trinity Prep of Winter Park and a spot in the semifinals at Tampa at noon Thursday against Trinity Christian Academy of Jacksonville in Tampa. It's the second straight trip to the state semis for McKeel softball.

UPDATE: The only bad news was that in the 5A Region 3 championship at Lakeland, Lakeland George Jenkins was routed by Tampa Gaither. When the game was suspended by rain and lightning Tuesday Gaither was leading 11-2 in the fifth inning. Before it was completed Wednesday, the Gaither players took batting practice and ran wind sprints, then took a 17-2 victory.

And I forgot to mention that Florida Southern College is hosting a NCAA Division II South regional tournament beginning tonight. The Mocs, who are the top seed, will play fourth-seed Rollins College at historic Henley Field. Second seed Tusculum faces three-seed Tampa open the double elimination tournament this afternoon at 1:00.