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Lake Worth Christian Defenders grabbed an early lead on its way to a 13-2 victory over Atlantic Christian (West Palm Beach, FL) on Tuesday. Lake Worth Christian Defenders scored on a groundout by Anthony Chapman and a groundout by Carlos Jimenez in the first inning. Lake Worth Christian Defenders scored five runs in the fourth inning. Lake Worth Christian Defenders offense in the inning was led by Trey Harrelson, John Arencibia, and Chapman, who all drove in runs. Chapman got the win for Lake Worth Christian Defenders. The righthander allowed one hit and one run over two innings, striking out four. Jimenez threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen. C Cilaxte led things off on the hill for Atlantic Christian (West Palm Beach, FL). The hurler surrendered two runs on two hits over two innings, striking out two and walking one. Anderson and Scille entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning and one inning respectively. Lake Worth Christian Defenders racked up nine hits. Alek Greer and Harrelson all had multiple hits for Lake Worth Christian Defenders. Harrelson and Greer all had two hits to lead Lake Worth Christian Defenders....

Lake Worth Christian Defenders opened up scoring in the first inning, when Anthony Chapman drew a walk, scoring one run. Lake Worth Christian Defenders notched four runs in the second inning. The big inning was thanks to a single by Connor Kerce, by Jackson Buffett, and a double by Andrew Alexander. Kerce was the winning pitcher for Lake Worth Christian Defenders. The pitcher allowed three hits and three runs over four and a third innings, striking out seven. John Arencibia threw two and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen. Lovely took the loss for Glades Central (Belle Glade, FL). Lovely lasted one inning, allowing four hits and seven runs while striking out one. Lake Worth Christian Defenders collected 11 hits. Alexander, Kerce, and Arencibia each had multiple hits for Lake Worth Christian Defenders. Alexander led Lake Worth Christian Defenders with three hits in five at bats....

The Lake Worth Christian Defenders (7-3) erupted for 11 runs in the first inning en route to a fourth inning 15-0 victory over the Boca Raton Christian Blazers (1-8). The Defenders are firing on all cylinders having won their last three games by a combined score of 32-4. Lake Worth Christian Manager Austin Johnson was happy but reserved after the game. “We’re getting there. The goal is to peak at the right time. We have a lot of young guys that are learning how to play and as the season progresses they do as well. Today, we played a complete game. Alek dominated the strike zone. Our bats were aggressive. Our defense played clean. It was a good job overall.” Boca Raton Christian wounded themselves in the first inning. Errors and walks combined to allow 11 runs on only two hits. Blazers starting pitcher Jordan Garcia endured a 59 pitch effort to get through the inning. The outing was unfair to the senior pitcher Garcia as he threw well enough to end the rally but was undone by fielding errors multiple times, forcing him to pitch relentlessly from the stretch instead of the windup and tiring him. He was relieved in the second inning by Matt Demott who was able to keep his pitch count under control. The Defenders sent freshman Alek Greer to the mound to face the Blazers and the young pitcher was prepared for the challenge. “My approach tonight was to throw fastballs outside and I was able to throw them for strikes.” said Greer who no hit the Blazers in the four inning effort with eight strikeouts. Offensively, the Defenders collected most of their ten hits in the latter innings. The Lake Worth lineup was led by juniors Anthony Chapman and Gavin Keene. Chapman recorded three hits and an RBI while Keene accounted for seven of the Defenders runs, scoring three times and driving in four. “It’s a great win. I think we have a chance to make a run in districts. There’s obviously some good teams we have to face but things are clicking right now and hopefully we can keep it up.” said Keene who is also the Defenders front line starting pitcher with a district leading 1.31 ERA. Boca Raton Christian is a developing program led by Sean Paul Cronin II, a first year coach at the young age of 23. “I have been pleasantly surprised by this group. Coming in as a young coach to a bunch of young guys I expected to have to take a hard line approach and whip them into shape to get them to respond. But I have learned that if you show them respect and show them love – they will respond in kind, they’ll work harder and they’ll be more open to learn as well.” said Cronin who credits his team’s shared faith as the foundation he plans to build the program upon. Coach Cronin explained that the goals for his program go beyond the win-loss record. “Hopefully I can teach these young men that hard work and dedication are what get you to the next level, in this game and life.” On Thursday, Lake Worth Christian will face the Glades Day Gators (4-3) at home, 3:30PM. Boca Raton Christian face Sheridan Hills Christian (0-5) on Thursday 4PM at home....

The Defenders two pitchers didn't allow a single hit, as Lake Worth Christian Defenders defeated Boynton Beach 10-0 on Thursday. Lake Worth Christian Defenders opened up scoring in the first inning, when Carlos Jimenez doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. Gavin Keene pitched Lake Worth Christian Defenders to victory. Keene allowed zero hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out ten and walking one. Kerce threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. Jackson Buffett, Jimenez, Trey Harrelson, Andrew Alexander, Keene, John Arencibia, and Anthony Chapman each collected one hit to lead the Defenders. Lake Worth Christian tore up the base paths, as three players stole at least two bases. Jonah Duke led the way with three....

For Lake Worth Christian, it was another Franklin-led state championship in 2020. Following in her sister’s footsteps, Defenders junior Kelly Franklin starred as Lake Worth Christian (18-2) successfully defended their FHSAA Class 2A state title with a 29-27, 25-18, 25-9 victory over Tallahassee’s St. John Paul II. It was their fifth state championship overall, all coming since 2011. One year removed from sister Sarah, now at Michigan State and last year’s Sun Sentinel Class 5A-2A Player of the Year, guiding the Defenders to the state championship, the outside hitter has emerged from that shadow and the comparisons and is making her own history. She finished the year with 294 kills, 64 aces, 206 digs, and 28 blocks. “This year was definitely hectic, but I am super thankful that the school was able to organize games, practices and even being able to play in a state tournament around this whole COVID situation and keeping us super safe,” said Franklin, who had 16 kills and six digs in the title match. “The most memorable part of the entire season was the road to states,” Franklin added. “I think we were all thankful to go to practice and learn and then compete in district, regionals and state…I think it we each other accountable and every girl was super cautious of where they went in their off time. I am looking forward to next year because I think we have a chance to repeat and that would mean so much to me. We’ve never won three in a row.” King’s Academy also reached the FHSAA Class 3A state semifinals before falling to the eventual state runner-up Westminster Christian (Miami). Coach of the Year: Terri Kaiser, Lake Worth Christian; First Team: Sophia Blair, St. John Paul II Academy junior; Sophia Buller, Benjamin sophomore; Emily Caputo, Lake Worth Christian junior; Parker Folino, Lake Worth Christian senior; Karly Horn, Lake Worth Christian junior; Alexis Jacobs, Lake Worth Christian junior; Abby Nieporte, Oxbridge senior; Katelynn Robine, Kings Academy senior; Annie Smith, MB, King’s Academy senior; Sarah Stokes, St. Andrew’s senior; Michelle Taylor, Boca Raton Christian junior; Olivia Wanicka, Kings Academy senior....