Bryce VanHorn Pitches Ida Baker To 6A-11 Championship

The Ida Baker Bulldogs and Cape Coral Seahawks faced off for the 6A-11 championship Thursday night. With the Bulldogs playing host, they jumped out to the early lead and held off a late surge from the Seahawks to win 3-1 and claim the district championship.

Dakota Kayatta got things going for the Bulldogs (21-5) who came into the game as the #5 ranked team in the latest SWFL Rankings. Kayatta recorded a RBI single to score Christian Proffitt to give Ida Baker the 1-0 lead. Luke Endsley added to the lead when he crossed the plate on an errant throw from the Seahawks infield.

The rest of the game belonged to Bulldogs starter Bryce VanHorn, who went seven innings, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk. He threw 103 pitches and struck out six batters on the night in picking up the victory.

Reed Harris came into the game in the first for the Seahawks (14-14) after they fell behind by two runs. Harris was outstanding in his relief appearance, throwing 61 pitches over four innings, allowing four hits and striking out eight. However, Trey Koza scored a run and added to the Bulldogs’ lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ryen Clay reached base on a fielder’s choice.

Now facing a three-run deficit, the Seahawks finally got on the board. With one on and two outs and down to his final strike, Kagan Smith sent a double to center field to score Jorge Espana. The rally did not last long however, as VanHorn settled down quickly and got the very next batter to ground out to end the game and preserve the district championship for the Bulldogs.

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