High school baseball: Winter Haven falls to Melbourne in 6A-3 regional final

Robert Magobet, The Ledger
·2 min read
All-County player Mason Jantomaso puts the ball in play versus Melbourne on May 17, 2022.
All-County player Mason Jantomaso puts the ball in play versus Melbourne on May 17, 2022.

MELBOURNE — Winter Haven was down by five runs near the end of the game, but the Blue Devils fought all the way back to tie the score in Tuesday night's Class 6A-Region 3 baseball final.

In the end, however, it was Melbourne that made the final plays to remain perfect at home and advance to the state tournament with a 7-5 victory.

Winter Haven centerfielder DeSean Rogers was 2-for-3 with two RBI, third baseman Jalen Hairston was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Taylor Burdon had a hit and two RBI.

The biggest hit of the game for Winter Haven was Burdon's two-run single with one out in the sixth inning that tied the score, 5-5.

“I was happy that we were back in it at that time," Winter Haven coach David Schafer said. "I had made some changes, so my mind was busy trying to figure out where guys can play to make a defensive unit cohesive.”

In the bottom of the sixth, however, Michael Petite's two-run single with two outs gave Melbourne its winning margin to complete a perfect 18-0 record at home this season. Petite was 3-for-4 with two RBI.

“I’m proud that we battled back,” Melbourne coach Pete Donovan said. “Winter Haven’s the best team we’ve played all year. They ran the bases better than anyone we played against. We knew that was going to happen, and I just needed to get out of that sixth inning. We got out 5-5.”

Winter Haven responded after being down 5-0. Rogers hit an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning to give the Blue Devils their first run. He also hit another one in the top of the sixth to make the score, 5-2.

In the same inning, Hairston smoked an RBI single to give Winter Haven one more run.

Burdon later tied the game with his heroics. But it wasn't enough.

Melbourne, the No. 2-ranked team in Class 6A, will take on Doral Academy in a State Final 4 semifinal game.

Winter Haven finished the season 20-9.

“This is why homefield advantage is so important because in all honesty, the umpires come close to here," Schafer said. "And tonight, they changed the outcome of our game.”

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: High school baseball: Winter Haven falls to Melbourne in 6A-3 regional final