LIGHTNING STRIKES OUT 'CANES

Scoring a run in the top of the fifth of the District 16-3A semifinals, the Coral Shores High baseball team made it a one-run difference against top-seeded Keys Gate but a lightning strike in the bottom of the frame pulled the teams from the field and halted the action on Tuesday, April 30, in Founders Park.

The lightning did not vacate the area for more than an hour, despite the rains never falling, before the umpires made the game final, leaving the Knights as the 4-3 winners and the Hurricanes heartbroken without a proper comeback attempt in their season finale.

Before the lightning ruined a potential rally, the Hurricanes had already fought back to take a 2-1 lead in the third on a bases-loaded single by Campbell Lavoie, after A.J. Putetti and Zeke Myers both also reached with hits.

Keys Gate would go back in front crossing home three times in the fourth, with Coral Shores answering in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Donovan Thiery and Myers to make it the one-run difference.

With a runner on and one out in the bottom of the fifth for the Knights, the lightning began, bringing an end to the 2024 campaign for the Hurricanes (10-11 overall), without a chance for one last rally.

Both Marathon and Coral Shores were a victory away from meeting in the District 16-3A Championship game, but neither was able to garner the victory on Tuesday at home.