Warriors scratch out two in extras, advance to state final

By Jarrett Guthrie, Editor

FORT MYERS – Calvary Christian’s pitching staff has carried the No. 5-state ranked Warriors all season, through 26 wins heading into Friday’s FHSAA Class 3A state semifinal game against Jacksonville Providence School, the work on the mound has been impressive and sharp.

Through three-and-a-half hours and 10 innings later, three Calvary pitchers stepped up again, combining for 216 pitches.

The difference came late with two of those three pitchers coming through at the plate as the Warriors scored a pair of top-half-inning runs, and weathered a Stallions rally attempt, claiming a 5-4 win and earning a spot in Saturday’s state championship game.

Asked in the postgame if that pitch total was something he could have imagined pregame, Calvary Christian (27-4) head coach Greg Olsen was frugal in his response: “No.”

But it takes what it takes – you can’t play in the championship, if you don’t reach the championship.

Junior Andrew Tess led off the top of the seventh with a bunt single and took second on a throwing error, and with two outs Liam Peterson (3-for-5) sent a ground ball up the middle to break the 3-all tie, followed by an RBI double by Justin Mayes to add some cushion.

“Every run matters, we’re out their fighting as brothers,” Mayes said, “we’ve put in the work all year. These guys – I would die for them – every time I step on the field it’s for them.”

That second run proved pivotal, as Peterson (who relieved senior and Arkansas signee Hunter Dietz after 101 pitches in the fifth) ran into trouble in the home-half hitting a batter, giving up a hit and loading them with a walk. Peterson (a Florida signee) departed after five impressive innings on the hill, tossing 105 pitches and striking out nine.

Mayes (a Notre Dame signee) was called on in the tough situation and the Stallions drew a walk to cut the deficit to a run, before a groundout ended the game and gave the Warriors a shot at the program’s third state title (having previously won in 2017 and 2019).

“That was one of the best high school baseball games that I have ever been a part of,” Olsen said. “Providence is outstanding, their kids played every pitch, just like us, and this just came down to one extra pitch.

“… You get into that moment as a coach where you start to have feelings for both teams. You know how hard the other dugout is working. You start to put yourself in that position, and it’s tough. We have a lot of respect for them.”

Dietz made the start and quickly ran into trouble as Providence (25-5) loaded the bases on singles by Andrew Johnson and Mason Wortman, around a walk, and the lefty walked in the game’s first run.

Calvary answered with a two-run third as Tess tied the game with a triple and Keeton Burroughs sacrificed in the second. But the Stallions took a brief lead in the fifth, chasing Dietz after Liam O’Neil doubled deep to right field.

Tess was 2-for-4 in the win, though the Warriors backstop made his biggest contributions on the other side of the ball, handling the staff brilliantly, blocking everything in the dirt and catching two would-be base stealers.

Tess’ skills were not lost on his opponents, who have relied on speed on the base paths – stealing 77 bases on the year.

“Their catcher is very, very good,” Providence head coach Tommy Boss said. “Part of our game is running the bases, and he shut that down. Some of the blocks he made kept us from scoring or getting the extra base. He was just very good today.”

His blocking skills and aggression did result in a scary moment in the game, as Tess took a baseball to the side of his neck and the game was delayed while he was attended to, but eventually he returned to the crouch behind home plate.

“He’s a guy I can spike curveballs to and be confident with runners on base that he is gonna block it,” Dietz said. “I can throw it anywhere, inside, low, high and if that guy steals, I know he is going to throw him out … there is no one I know that is as talented as him.”

Peterson echoed the praise of Tess’ skills behind the plate, but added the Pitt committed junior brings energy on and off the field.

“I think Andrew is one of the most underrated players in the Class of 2024,” Peterson said. “He’s all those things Hunter said he is, but he’s also the sparkplug for our team. Obviously, he’s a really good player, but he’s always getting our team pumped up in the dugout.”

On Saturday, Calvary Christian will put the ball in the hands of NC State signee, righty Landen Maroudis, who held Tampa Catholic hitless through 5 2/3 innings in a 1-0 region final win. Maroudis is 8-1, with a 2.24 ERA and 81 strikeouts.

The Warriors will face defending 3A champions North Broward Prep, which broke up a no-hitter and scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Gulliver Prep, 5-4 on Friday. The FHSAA Class 3A state championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday from Fort Myers’ Hammond Stadium.

For Olsen, who has brought the Warriors to the semifinals in four of the last six times seasons (with 2020’s COVID cancelation of the season), Calvary Christian has plenty left to close the book on this season.

“Every team has their story, right?,” Olsen said. “And this team has one more chapter to write.”

⚾ Class 3A State Semifinal ⚾

Calvary Christian 5, Jacksonville Providence School 4 (10)

C 002|001|000|2 – |5|12|1
P 100|020|000|1 – |4|7|2
W – Peterson (5-2); L – Dennis; S – Mayes (1)
2B – Mayes (C); Hicken, O’Neil (P); 3B – Tess (C). Records – C (27-4); P (25-5).