Merritt Island plays in the FHSAA Class 4A state baseball semifinal round Tuesday in Ft. Myers at Hammond Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Mustangs, 24-5, cruised through the regional playoffs, winning their Region 2 title over Hernando, 10-0. Their opponent is South Walton, 20-10 and winner of nine in a row. The Seahawks were state semifinalists in 2017, while the Mustangs have team titles from 1999 and 2000 and most recently reached the championship game in Class 6A in 2018 with a loss to Tampa Jefferson, 6-5 in nine innings.
Tickets are $14 at the gate, and parking is $10 per car.
Merritt Island plays the second 4A semifinal, after Mulberry (19-9-1) faces Cardinal Gibbons (23-4-2) at 4. The winners will advance to play for the title Wednesday at 5.
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Cardinal Gibbons last played for a state title in 2019, losing to MCC in 5A, 6-3 in eight innings. Mulberry won Class A championships in 1951 and '60, beating Cocoa in the latter, 3-1 in Ft. Pierce. The Panthers are making their first playoff run since 2007.
Viera played in a 6A semifinal Thursday in Ft. Myers, falling to Dwyer, 8-0.
Here's a closer look at the matchup between the Mustangs and Seahawks:
Merritt Island Mustangs baseball 2024
Top hitters: Noah Knight, Sr., CF, .423, 10 doubles, 2 HR, 27 RBIs; Toren Dunegan, Sr., LF, .406, 9 doubles, 1 HR, 18 RBIs; Romeo Tornga, Sr., .351, 6 doubles, 10 RBIs; Dean Hanselman, Sr., SS, .310, 8 doubles, 2 HR, 22 RBIs; Jacob Loeffler, 1B/P, .290, 7 doubles, 1HR, 24 RBIs.
Top pitchers: Nick Wimberly, Sr., 64 1/3 innings, 9-2, 1.09 ERA, 86 Ks, 19 walks; Loeffler, Sr., 48 innings, 8-2, 1.17 ERA, 73 Ks, 16 walks.
Regional games: Def. Dunnellon, 9-1; def. Villages Charter, 7-2; def. Hernando, 10-0.
South Walton Seahawks baseball 2024
Top hitters: Coleman Borthwick, Soph., 3B, .448, 9 doubles, 2 HR, 20 RBIs; Frank Wells, Jr., SS, .393, 6 doubles, 20 RBIs; Jackson Perkins, Jr., LF, .314, 18 RBIs.
Top pitchers: Coleman Borthwick, Soph., 56 1/3 innings, 6-2, 4 saves, 1.99 ERA, 86 Ks, 12 walks; Charlie Willcox, Jr., 43 2/3 innings, 6-2, 1.60 ERA, 51 Ks, 24 walks.
Regional games: Def. West Florida, 10-0; def. Bishop Kenny, 5-2; def. Arnold, 6-1.
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