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Jay Royals Win Regionals; Headed To State Final Four

The Jay Royals beat the Port St. Joe Sharks 15-7  Friday night for the Region 1-2A championship and a trip to the state final four.

Hunter Boutwell, Hunter Brown, Sawyer Gandy and Rush Hendricks all scored in the first four, with the Royals and the Sharks 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Port St. Joe managed to take a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. But the Royals rallied with a big three run, in-the-park homer from Kevin Stanton for a 7-6 Jay lead.

The Sharks managed a run in the top of the sixth to tie the ballgame 7-7. But the bottom of the sixth was all Jay as the Royals added eight runs for their 15-7 win. Overall, the Royals scored 15 runs on nine hits and committed just six errors.

Hunter Brown (8-4) took the win on the mound for the Royals. He pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, walking seven and striking out five.

Hitters for Jay included:  Hunter Boutwell 2-5, two doubles and one RBI; Hunter Brown 2-4, two doubles and two RBI’s; Rush Hendricks 2-4 with one RBI; Kevin Stanton 2-3, with three RBI’s; and Sawyer Gandy 1-2.

Friday night’s win sends the Royals to their second final four game in the last three years. The Florida High School Athletic Association State 2A Semifinals begin Monday, May 24 at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie with the Jay Royals taking on Shorecrest Prep.

Port St. Joe had a dismal start to their season at 0-5, but then won 18 of their last 22 for a 18-9 record headed into Friday night’s game. The Royals were 17-7, coming off a 1-0 Regional win over the Northview Chiefs.

Pictured top:  Hunter Boutwell steps up the plate for the Royals. Pictured inset:  Hunter Brown up to bat. Photos courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.