Prep baseball: Lakeland falls in 5A final

A night after rallying to beat Manatee in a state semifinal, Lakeland was shackled during Saturday's state Class 5A state baseball championship game.

The Dreadnaughts lost 2-0 to West Boca Raton Community despite the best efforts of Tyler Howe. A night after tossing 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief against the Canes, Howe went six innings, allowing two runs - one earned - and five hits while striking out three and walking none.

But West Boca scored twice in the second inning, which was enough for pitcher Parker Danciu. The junior walked three, struck out two and allowed five hits.

It was an impressive tournament for the Bulls, who also shut out Pace in Friday's semifinal.

Lakeland defeated Manatee 7-6 on Friday.

Prep baseball: Manatee will face Lakeland in state semis

In a game that ended less than 20 minutes before midnight, Lakeland defeated Plant City Durant 4-2 in the Class 5A-Region 2 final at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday.

The Dreadnaughts (26-4) will face Manatee next Friday in a Class 5A state semifinal at Port St. Lucie's Digital Domain Park, the spring home of the New York Mets.

Manatee defeated Largo Pinellas Park in the Region 3 final, beating the Patriots 12-6.

It is Manatee's first first state appearance since 1963, when the Canes won the Class 2A state title.

Orlando Pace and West Boca Raton Community will meet in the other Class 5A semifinal.

Times are be determined for both semifinals games, but the state championship game is slated for 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

Head to Prep Rally all throughout the week for notes, previews and more on the Class 5A state final four.