UF commit, defense send Newman to semifinals

WEST PALM BEACH — For fans wanting all the thrills and chills that come with win-or-go-home baseball, Cardinal Newman’s Jack Kokinda Field has been the place to be.

Six days after hoisting up a district championship decided in extra innings, the Crusaders got back to it on Wednesday to open up 3A state playoffs against Umatilla. Fortunately for the visiting Bulldogs, Newman (22-5-1) dealt their 1-0 defeat in regulation, leaving no need to delay the haul back to Orlando.

“It’s playoff baseball. It’s exciting when it’s do or die ... the drama, the tension,” Newman coach Joe Russo said after the win. “We’ve gone through games like that this year. Maybe too many, but we’re kind of weathered so they expect it, they’ve been through that.”

“And, obviously, Sammy was lights out.”

This week, Newman pitcher Sam Lovitz wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

Lovitz leaves nothing to chance

Eight innings and 11 strikeouts to reclaim district bragging rights last Thursday

left the Florida commit well-conditioned for Umatilla (19-9). Against the Bulldogs, he struck out 10 and didn’t give up a hit until the fifth inning. It seemed that only the drive to survive on the road to state allowed Umatilla to notch its second and final hit in the sixth.

“He’s the story tonight,” Russo said.

Name, image and likeness policy is inching closer to being a reality in Florida.

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors is meeting Tuesday to discuss name, image and likeness. NIL is the lone discussion item on the agenda and no vote is scheduled.

According to the agenda, the board will discuss adding language to FHSAA Policy 9.9, which would allow high school athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness while maintaining their eligibility.

Students-athletes would be required to negotiate NIL deals independently of their school, school district or the FHSAA. Student-athletes also would be prohibited from monetizing their name, image and likeness with the use of their school’s uniform, equipment, logo, name, proprietary patents, products and/or copyrights associated with an

Florida pitcher commit Sam Lovitz, left, and shortstop Finn Duran were key to a 1-0 win for Cardinal Newman baseball on Wednesday. After sending Umatilla home to Orlando, the Crusaders advanced to Saturday’s region semifinals against Saint John Paul II.