Baseball: Raiders travel to Escambia for key district clash

Navarre is scheduled to play a Florida District 1-5A high school baseball game at Escambia on Tuesday. The Raiders (10-10 overall, 3-5 in district action) need a win to secure fourth place and a home game in this month's district tournament.

"This could be the most important game we play this year," NHS head coach Mickey O'Quinn said last week of the rematch with Escambia (8-12, 3-6). "We know we'll be playing Escambia at Escambia (which will host the district tournament), but we'd at least like to be the home team."

Navarre can't finish better than fourth, behind Pace, Milton and Tate, and Escambia is guaranteed to finish ahead of Pine Forest. The top two seeds have a first-round bye; the other four district teams play Tuesday, April 26, at Escambia. Those winners will advance to the semifinals; the district championship game is scheduled to be played at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 28. Both finalists advance to the Region 1-5A tournament.

The Raiders built a 4-0 lead and held on to beat the Gators 4-3 on March 8 at Navarre.

The teams' junior varsity teams are scheduled to play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday with the varsity sides to follow at 7 p.m.