By: Beth Jones
Spring break is next week, and the Pirates will be hanging around town to host their annual Diamond Classic. The Fernandina Beach High School baseball team (10-2) welcomes Baldwin, First Coast, Trinity Catholic, Oakleaf and county foe West Nassau to The Ballpark at Fernandina Beach for this year’s lineup.
It all kicks off on Thursday, March 19, when the Pirates host Baldwin at 1 p.m., followed by First Coast and Trinity Catholic at 4 p.m. West Nassau and Oakleaf play in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
On Friday, March 20, First Coast and West Nassau open play at 1 p.m. Baldwin and Oakleaf play at 4 p.m., and FBHS and Trinity Catholic face off in the night’s finale at 7 p.m.
The tournament wraps up on Saturday, March 21, with Trinity Catholic and Oakleaf taking the field at 10 a.m. West Nassau and Baldwin battle at 1 p.m. FBHS and First Coast bring it all to a close with the final game at 4 p.m.
Purchase tickets at gofan.co.
The Pirates have won their last three games, beating Yulee 15-0 on March 6, Union County 7-6 on Monday and West Nassau 5-1 on Thursday.
FBHS scored six runs in the top of the first inning and eight more in the top of the fourth and final inning in the shortened game against Yulee. Preston Matricardi two doubles and three RBIs), John Addington (RBI) and Grady Stevens (two RBIs) had two hits apiece. Trace Farmer had a double and three RBIs.
Matricardi was the winning pitcher. He struck out eight in the no-hitter.
Farmer had three hits to lead the Pirates at the bat against Union County. He had a double and a pair or RBIs, and he also stole two bases. Matricardi had a hit and two RBIs.
Stevens got the win on the mound. He struck out two, walked two and gave up one run on two hits.
Landen Holbrook had two hits in the Pirates’ win over West Nassau. Dylan Wilkes and Farmer both doubled, and Conner Bayless, Matricardi, Farmer and Eli Salyer had an RBI apiece.
Farmer got the win on the mound. He struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits.
FBHS hosts Oakleaf at 7 p.m. tonight, March 13.
bj****@************ne.net
