Trinity Christian came up short in its pursuit of the storybook baseball season.
Orlando’s The First Academy toppled Trinity Christian 7-2 to win the Class 2A state championship at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Wednesday afternoon.
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Trinity (30-5) was playing in the third title game in program history but was denied by the Royals.
This year’s Trinity team, led by one perhaps the deepest lineup in area history, had gone wire to wire as the best team in the area and top team in 2A. They got a dominant effort from ace Aaron Watson in a 1-0 semifinal win over Berkeley Prep, but didn’t have that same luck against First Academy.
The Conquerors stalled out after a first inning homer from Aiden Arnett, mustering just a couple hits after that frame. The Royals knocked around Trinity starter Tyler Ellis, chasing him after four innings and a 3-1 lead.
Ethan Wheeler came on in relief and was charged with three unearned runs.
The Conquerors struggled against First Academy starter Thomas Achey (6 IP, 7 Ks). When Brady Harris had an RBI in the bottom of the fifth to get Trinity within 4-2, the Royals countered with three runs in the top of the sixth to pull away.
Arnett led Trinity (2 for 4, HR) as the only player to record multiple hits.
