BaseballRegion 1-6A QuarterfinalsNo. 1 Pace 3, No. 8 Lake Howell 2

Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates scoring the 3-2 game winning run against the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.The Patriots celebrate their 3-2 victory over the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) hits a leadoff double in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates hitting a leadoff double in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Dax Brooks (24) belts a hit to move the runner to third base in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) takes third base on a hit by Dax Brooks (24) with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Silverhawks Noah Crews (17) pitches in relief in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Braiden Cheshire (1) drives in the winning run to defeat the Silverhawks 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Second baseman Connor McBratney (12) plays a shot by Patriots Braiden Cheshire (1) and gets set to throw to the plate in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026. Patriots ___ (10) beats the tag at the plate to defeat the Silverhawks 3-2.Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) safely slides across the plate ahead of the tag by Silverhawks catcher Isaiah Nieves (20) for the 3-2 game winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.Patriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates scoring the 3-2 game winning run against the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.More photos are coming soon.1 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates scoring the 3-2 game winning run against the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.1 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates scoring the 3-2 game winning run against the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.2 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryThe Patriots celebrate their 3-2 victory over the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.3 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) hits a leadoff double in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.4 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates hitting a leadoff double in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.5 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Dax Brooks (24) belts a hit to move the runner to third base in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.6 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) takes third base on a hit by Dax Brooks (24) with 1 out in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.7 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victorySilverhawks Noah Crews (17) pitches in relief in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Silverhawks during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.8 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Braiden Cheshire (1) drives in the winning run to defeat the Silverhawks 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.9 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victorySecond baseman Connor McBratney (12) plays a shot by Patriots Braiden Cheshire (1) and gets set to throw to the plate in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026. Patriots ___ (10) beats the tag at the plate to defeat the Silverhawks 3-2.10 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) safely slides across the plate ahead of the tag by Silverhawks catcher Isaiah Nieves (20) for the 3-2 game winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.11 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryPatriots Bryce Hatton (10) celebrates scoring the 3-2 game winning run against the Silverhawks in the bottom of the 7th inning during the Lake Howell vs Pace 6A Regional Quarterfinals baseball game at Pace High School on April 24, 2026.12 / 12See Patriots thrilling walk off baseball victoryMore photos are coming soon.Braiden Cheshire was the Patriots hero again.

After hitting a walkoff home run to beat Tate in the District 1-6A final last week, Cheshire hit a ground ball to second and Bryce Hatton beat the throw home to send the Patriots to the Region 1-6A semifinals.

The Patriots (24-4) will host No. 5 Tocoi Creek for a best two-out-of-three series starting Friday at 7 p.m. Game two will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. with an if necessary game three to follow. Pace swept Tocoi Creek 2-0 in the regional semifinals a year ago by a combined score of 26-0.

Hatton recorded a team-high two hits and an RBI, while Aaron Muldowney allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out four. Emory Allen went 1-for-3 and pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win.

Hatton's RBI double put Pace on the board in the bottom of the second, but Drew Baker scored on a throwing error to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Caleb Wheeler scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame, only for the Silverhawks (11-17) to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the fifth when Lukas Smiley scored on an Isaiah Nieves groundout.

Pace stranded runners on first and second in the bottom of the sixth before Hatton led off the seventh with a double. He advanced to third on a Dax Brooks single before scoring the winning run.

Tate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) makes the tag at second for the first out of a double play during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Bryton McLellan starts on the hill against Tocoi Creek during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game on April 24, 2026.Tate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Aydan Gomez (No. 9) beats the throw as he dives back to first during a pick attempt during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate’s Kaden Posta (No. 2) fouls the pitch during his first at bat during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.ocoi Creek's Micah Hernandez (No. 22) comes up short after Tate’s Kaden Posta (No.2) beats the throw to second during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Griffin Cook (No. 10) takes a strike during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) watches for the pitch during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Griffin Cook (No. 10) takes the swing for a strike during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) makes the tag at second for the first out of a double play during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tate's Aydan Gomez (No. 9) beats the throw as he dives back to first during a pick attempt during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.1 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) makes the tag at second for the first out of a double play during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.1 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) makes the tag at second for the first out of a double play during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.2 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Bryton McLellan starts on the hill against Tocoi Creek during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game on April 24, 2026.3 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.4 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.5 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Aydan Gomez (No. 9) beats the throw as he dives back to first during a pick attempt during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.6 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate’s Kaden Posta (No. 2) fouls the pitch during his first at bat during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.7 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate Short stop Cooper Halfacre (No. 3) makes a force out a second as Tocoi Creek's Ayden Ramos (No. 2) comes up short during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.8 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsocoi Creek's Micah Hernandez (No. 22) comes up short after Tate’s Kaden Posta (No.2) beats the throw to second during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.9 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Griffin Cook (No. 10) takes a strike during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.10 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) watches for the pitch during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.11 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Griffin Cook (No. 10) takes the swing for a strike during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.12 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Kannon Ham (No. 20) makes the tag at second for the first out of a double play during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.13 / 13Highlights from Region 1-6A Baseball quarterfinalsTate's Aydan Gomez (No. 9) beats the throw as he dives back to first during a pick attempt during the Region 1-6A quarterfinals game against Tocoi Creek on April 24, 2026.Tocoi Creek rightfielder Nate Wade had one thought going through his mind as he saw a fly ball dropping closer and closer to the grass. The Kennesaw State commit didn't want to be done with high school baseball, so there was only one option with the tying run on second base and two outs.

So the Kennesaw State commit dove as far as he could, going full extension to his left to try to make a play. He slid through the outfield grass and came up with the ball, preserving the Toros (15-13) victory and clinching another long trip to the panhandle to play No. 1 Pace in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals.

"I was just thinking like, I gotta get this ball," Wade said. "I didn't know I caught it until I looked in my glove and (saw) a white thing in there."

Several Tocoi Creek players chucked their gloves high into the sky as the whole dugout poured out to celebrate with Wade. At the same time, Tate fans and players were stunned. What everyone thought was a surefire tie game turned into the end of the season in a split second. One Aggie fan even proclaimed there was no way Wade caught the ball.

"I thought the ball was down," Tate head coach Brent McCullough said. "I thought it was by him. I was sending the runner and the umpire threw his arm up and I mean it was a heck of a play. The ball was smoked and I thought there was no way he was going to get to it, but obviously he did."

It might have been the Aggies best hit ball all night in a game where they had few opportunities. Kaden Posta led off the game by reaching on a dropped third strike against USF commit Kaleb Stockwell, then made it to third on a throwing error. Connor Dethlefts followed with an RBI double for Tate's only run.

The Aggies couldn't get another big hit off Stockwell for the rest of the night, despite consistently working deep counts. The right hander allowed three hits and two walks while striking out 11 in five innings pitched.

Tocoi Creek, though, got the one hit it needed in the top of the fifth, with Tommy Glasspoole's two-run single up the middle putting the Toros in front. Tate pitchers Bryton McLellan and Lance Brady did enough to limit the damage, leaving 10 Tocoi Creek runners on base.

McLellan allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four in four 1/3 innings pitched, while Brady kept the Toros off the board for the final 2 2/3 innings. Tocoi Creek outhit Tate 9-3, with Wade and Ayden Ramos recording two hits each.

"That's two really good arms we faced tonight," McCullough said. "Obviously the kid going to South Florida is really good and our guys were in it the whole way. One ball falls, and it's a different story."

Tate will graduate two starters as well as their ace in McLellan, but are set to return most of the young core from its first 20-win season since 2022. A core that will have plenty of motivation after ending the season being walked off by Pace in the District 1-6A final and being clipped at home in the regional quarterfinals.

"It's a feeling that don't leave you, right?" McCullough said. "Nobody wants to feel it. And there ain't but one thing you can do not to feel it and that's go to work. We'll take about a week off, and we're going to prepare for the summer and we're going to get right back after it with a good young nucleus of kids."

Tocoi Creek, meanwhile, will happily take another road trip to the panhandle to continue their season, especially to get another shot at Pace, who steamrolled the Toros in a 2-0 sweep in the Region 1-6A semifinals last year by a combined score of 26-0.