Last week was a winning one for FPCA sports. The Highlanders won their first region baseball championship in the history of the program, and the track team stood out at the GISA 2AA state track meet.
FPCA baseball was in a tie with Citizens Christian for the top spot in the region. On April 25, the Highlanders won against Citizens Christian 6-2 to take home the title, the program’s first. Highlander coach Ryan Harmon was named the Region 2AA Coach of the Year.
Steven Young was the winning pitcher, allowing two hits and one walk in seven innings.
“Young has been great for us on the mound all year, but in this game he was lights out,” Harmon said. “Young was able to get ahead of the batters and use his curveball to our advantage.
The coach pointed out it was a comeback win for FPCA.
“CCA took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning but we tied it in the third,” he said. “We busted loose in the fourth and that was all we needed to take the title. Joseph Hill and Ben Satele were the big hitters for the game. Satele had a huge base clearing double.”
The Highlanders also celebrated senior night. The only senior, Satele, was recognized during a break.
The Highlanders will host the first round of the state finals this weekend at St. James Sports Center in Holmestown. They will face Westwood, the fourth seed from Region 3. The first two games of the best-of-three series will be on Friday, starting at 1 p.m.
If a tiebreaker is needed after two games, it will be at noon Saturday.
Soccer
FPCA soccer also celebrated senior night during games on April 23. Madison Buckley, Mercedes Buckley, Mackenzie Buckley, Jelissa Estrada, Cassandra Ruff and Jerell Smith were all recognized.
The Lady ’Landers lost 1-0 and the Highlanders tied their game 3-3 against St. Andrews. The Lady ’Landers faced a must-win situation for their last region game against Frederica Monday to advance into the playoffs. Details of it were not available Tuesday.
The Highlanders had already secured a playoff spot, so Monday’s 7-0 loss to Frederica Academy didn’t matter. The neutral conference game was on St. Simons Island. FPCA will play their first round this weekend.
Track
FPCA track competed in the GISA state meet on April 26-28. Sophomore. Vivian Hinze came out on top in three separate events. She won the GISA state medal in the Long Jump, the 200 meter, and the 400m. Winning top honors in three events, Hinze was also awarded the GISA State High Point Trophy.
Helena Scott placed 13th in the discus and 14th in the shot put. Alex Harper placed 11th in the 1600m. Montaye Frasier placed 13th in the 800m. Jovan Jackson placed 14th in the 1600m.
Andre Burnett came in fourth in the 110 hurdles. Christopher Dennis was 10th place in the high jump and 12th place in the long jump. Tre’shaun Davis was 15th in the long jump. Jerell Smith was 14th in the shot put. And in the 4x400m relay, Dennis, Burnett, Frasier and Alfred Martin placed seventh.
Track is coached by FPCA Athletic Director Shane Smith.