Jay Royals Win 1A State Championship, Their First In 54 Years

May 17, 2024

It’s been 54 long years, but a state baseball championship trophy is on the way back to Jay.

The Jay Royals are FHSAA 1A state champions for the first time since 1970 after a 6-3 win over Bozeman Thursday night in Fort Myers.

Ethan McDonald was 3-4 with a double and two runs at the plate for the Royals. Nick Baxley was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs, and Grayson Shehan was 2-3 with a double and two RBIs. J Lowery, B Godwin, and W Peaden each added a hit.

McDonald went for three and two-thirds innings for Jay, surrendering three hits and two runs while walking four and striking out five. Godwin was on the mound for three and a third innings, giving up three hits and one run, striking out four and walking four.

The Bucks were the No. 1 seed headed into Thursday night’s rain-delayed game and took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with a double. The Royals recovered by scoring a run in the fourth and three in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.

Photos courtesy FHSAA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Jay Royals Win 1A State Championship, Their First In 54 Years”

  1. Chief on May 17th, 2024 8:53 pm

    Congratulations Royals.

    AWESOME RUN !!!

  2. Ensley Miss on May 17th, 2024 7:32 pm

    Congratulations!

  3. Patrick Morrison on May 17th, 2024 12:51 pm

    Congratulations!!!

  4. Mark. E. Williams on May 17th, 2024 11:47 am

    Woooooo-Hoooooooooo!!!!!!! Gosh-darn it boys! I sure am proud to see you guys bringing back a hard earned trophy to ol Jay High School after all these long years! I’m so very happy for ALL OF YOU and just think, YOU will have this FOREVER memory that will happily live with you for the rest of your entire lives! Congratulations to you, your hard work and to your leadership-coaching staff! You ARE NUMBER ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have something to brag about for the next several days at work at Dillard’s!!!!!

  5. JTV on May 17th, 2024 10:03 am

    Congratulations Jay High School Baseball, you’ll be forever remembered in Florida baseball history. You’ll remember these days forever.

  6. Dawn on May 17th, 2024 9:55 am

    Hard work pays off!! Great job Royals!!!!

  7. Whisperjet on May 17th, 2024 9:30 am

    CONGRATS TO YOUR TEAM
    HARD WORK AND TEAMWORK ALWAYS
    WINS..

  8. Elijah Bell on May 17th, 2024 9:06 am

    Great honor for the Royals Baseball Team. State Champions does not come easy in any sport. A fitting end for the school year.