Sophomores Ethan Bissell and Madden Williams shut down St. Joseph Academy’s potent bats as Saint Johns Country Day School claimed the FHSAA District 4-1A championship with a 4-1 win over the visiting Flashes on April 17.

Bissell tossed five innings, scattering five hits while striking out five. The senior-laden Flashes entered the game averaging 7.1 runs per game, but touched Bissell for just a single run. The right-hander threw mostly fastballs the first time through the St. Joseph lineup, and then relied more on off-speed pitches the second and third times through.

“Ethan Bissell was amazing tonight,” said SJCD head coach Tom Lucas. “He only walked one guy, he only missed his spot two or three times. His curveball has a really good vertical break on it, and he threw a lot of changeups to the left-handers. He did a good job of being able to throw multiple pitches for strikes.”

Williams took the mound for the sixth inning and got the final six outs without allowing one hit. He struck out three, overpowering the Flashes with his fastball.

At Clay High, the Blue Devils got homers from Easton McMahan and Levi Chmura to beat Baker County, 7-3 for their district title.

In Keystone Heights, the Indians defeated Trinity Catholic 12-5 for their district title with Gauge Barry hitting two doubles for three runs batted in while striking out seven on the mound. Austin Smith and Destin Harnage also hit for three runs batted in. Tyler Brinson socked a triple. 

Ridgeview lost 8-2 to No. 1 seed Columbia in that district final.