North Marion baseball season a success even without championship
CITRA, Fla. (BVM) — After a loss to North Broward Prep in the FHSAA baseball state championship, North Marion would be unable to cap off its exceptional year with a state title. Even without the final win, the Colts had plenty to be happy about in their 2021 season.
With a 21-9 record in their spring season, the Colts had one of the program’s best seasons to date. Led by senior outfielder Eli Garcia, the Colts dominated throughout the 4A regular season. After hitting a rough stretch in late April, the Colts rebounded by winning seven straight games leading up to their appearance in the FHSAA State Championship.
The team’s run to the championship game was highlighted by a near no-hitter from senior Wyatt Campbell, who pitched 6⅔ innings of no-hit baseball before hitting the maximum pitch count of 108. With the pitch count rule taking Campbell out of the game with one out remaining, reliever Karson Smith would help keep the no-hit performance alive by getting out the last Nature Coast Tech batter.
With the playoff performance vaulting the Colts into the championship game, North Marion became the first Marion County Public School to play in a state title game in 50 years. The achievement capped off what was a special run for a team that had missed a full season the year prior.
