Buchholz Baseball’s Unprecedented Hot Start

The Buchholz Bobcats have come bursting onto the Florida high school baseball scene this season, trampling opposing schools left and right on their way to a perfect 11-0 record.

After a strong 2024 season that ended with a 24-9 record and atop 6A-District 3, Buchholz picked up right where it left off. Now ranked No. 1  in Gainesville in The Prep Zone poll and No. 2 in Florida, the Bobcats have their sights set on an accolade much bigger than a three-peat as the district champions. The Bobcats moved up to No. 2 statewide according to FHSAA and No. 3 according to MaxPreps.

Before looking too far ahead, the Bobcats will look to remain undefeated by finding victory at Columbia High School (7-5) Friday at 7 p.m. In their last meeting, the Bobcats bested the Tigers 8-0.

Buchholz tops inaugural 2025 @ThePrepZone regional baseball power poll. @Bobcat_Baseball @TrentonTiger_bb @NHSBaseball01 @_CHSBASEBALL_ @AthleticsKhhs @SantaFeRaiderBB @mpallman reporting for @NewsGainesville https://t.co/DN204etCBs

— Mainstreet Daily News Gainesville (@NewsGainesville) March 13, 2025

Buchholz

The Bobcats have outscored opponents 95-29 this season and are averaging more than eight runs a game in production while allowing less than three runs a game to opponents.

In its last three games, Buchholz has defeated Palmetto High School 12-5, Forest High School 13-6 and Bishop Kenny High School 10-1, showcasing its nonpareil offensive production.

Additionally, Buchholz handed Trinity Christian Academy (the No. 1 team in Jacksonville and the No. 10 team in Florida) its first (and only) loss of the season in a hard-fought 5-3 win, proving  it can compete at a high level with one of the best teams in the state.

The Bobcats will look to continue their streak of dominance by taking care of business against Columbia in Lake City tonight and defeating the Tigers for the second time this season.

Columbia

Columbia High (7-5) is coming off of a tough 5-4 loss to Creekside on Tuesday. Despite the Tigers taking a fifth-inning lead, the Creekside Knights scored two in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead that won them the game. The loss snapped the Tigers’ momentum from back-to-back wins against Suwannee and IMG Academy Gray, 3-2 and 8-0, respectively.

Looking to improve from its ranking of the 74th high school baseball program in Florida, Columbia will need to get its bats hot and have an excellent game on the mound to best an elite Buchholz lineup tonight.

Key Stats

Junior Blake Brewer  has been a powerhouse at the plate for Buchholz, posting a team-best .474 batting average and mashing two home runs through 11 games. Brewer also leads the team with 18 hits and 20 RBIs this season.

Junior Aidan Kastensmidt leads Buchholz with a .568 on-base percentage and has posted an impressive 10 hits in 26 at bats this season, sparking the Bobcats with constant offensive pressure.

Additionally, senior Cedaris Smith follows as a close second in hits, RBIs, batting average and on-base percentage, attesting to the outfielder’s ability to find a way on base and spark offensive production for the Bobcats. He also leads the team with a slugging percentage of .794.

Speed on the bases is also an area in which Buchholz thrives with sophomore Hudson Sapp leading the team with 8 stolen bases.

Defensively, junior Cohen Lafler has been a monster on the mound this season. Possessing a 0.5 ERA, the lowest on the team with 10 appearances, Lafler has proven himself as an arm in the rotation that will come in handy during a deep playoff run.

Senior Kai So has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and leads the Bobcats in doubles this season (with five), showcasing his athletic ability as a dual-threat catcher for Buchholz.

Up Next

Following their bout with Columbia, the Bobcats will hit the road for spring break and face the Farragut High School Admirals on Monday.

Farragut is in Knoxville, Tenn., but Monday’s game is a neutral site game at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach.