Back-to-back champs: Seabreeze beats Matanzas, Belleview to win District 5-5A baseball championship

The Sandcrabs won the district title for the second year in a row.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 2:17 p.m. April 21, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Sports
  • Share

“This is the best 11-and-14 team in the state of Florida,” Seabreeze head baseball coach Jeff Lemon said after winning the District 5-5A championship for the second year in a row.

After entering the district tournament with a 9-14 record, the Sandcrabs defeated Matanzas 8-5 on Wednesday, April 15, in the district semifinals at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex and then knocked off Belleview 7-2 in the championship game two days later.

“We won the district last year, and this is the first time that Seabreeze has gone back-to-back in over 12 years,” Lemon said.

Staff at the Ormond Garage welcomed the champs and their families at the restaurant after their win Friday.

“They normally close at 11, and their kitchen closes a little bit earlier, but they, as a staff, agreed to stay open to welcome us — the whole team and parents,” Lemon said. “It was super cool.”

Jacob Imhoff hit a three-run double with two outs in the first inning against Belleview to give the Sandrabs all the runs they would need with Tommy Hayes on the mound. Seabreeze scored four more runs in the fourth on an RBI-double by Nathaniel Anderson, a two-run double by Austin Upchurch and a wild pitch.

Hayes struck out 11 and did not allow an earned run in six innings.

“That was a big table setter for us,” Lemon said of Imhoff's hit, “because he was able to get that double with two outs that put us up three. We were able to manufacture those three runs, which gave Tommy all the confidence and all the support that he needed for the remainder of the game.”

Hayes faced 28 batters and allowed four hits and one walk.

 

Tommy earned the start. He’s a senior who has been on varsity for all four years. He literally threw his team on his back and said, ‘Let’s go win this game.
— JEFF LEMON, Seabreeze head baseball coach

“Tommy earned the start,” Lemon said. “He’s a senior who has been on varsity for all four years. He literally threw his team on his back and said, ‘Let’s go win this game’. It’s really encouraging to see what we’re doing now, but to also know that we’re in a good place in the future.”

Anderson, the starting catcher, leads the team with a .404 batting average. The sophomore's 18 RBIs are second on the team behind Upchurch's 22.

“Nathaniel has become a constant in our lineup and a competitive at-bat, and just a staple of who we are and where we are in the season,” Lemon said.

Brothers Jacob and Cole McKinnon each scored in the four-run fourth.

“First time that they’re having the opportunity to play baseball on the same team together, which is really special to see,” Lemon said. “This is Jacob’s third year on varsity, and Cole McKinnon just got a call-up from JV. Nice for the postseason.”

Jacob McKinnon came in late as a defensive replacement in center field against Belleview after scoring twice as a courtesy runner. He pitched four innings against Matanzas in relief of starter Joshua Sheffield. Sophomore Parker Chieppa closed both games. 

Jacob McKinnon said the Sandcrabs are a family, and they need to trust and believe in each other, as his teammates did for him in the Matanzas game.

“My job’s going in there, throw strikes, just trust my guys behind me,” he said. “For three innings, I put up three zeros for them. Last inning, I definitely was a little bit sluggish, but throughout those four innings, my boys had me. I trusted them, and they got me out of a lot of jams, so I was really appreciative of them.”

Seabreeze scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to take control of the game.

Lemon said he is looking forward to what first-year Matanzas head coach Sean McManus will do for the Pirates' program. 

“Matanzas is a quality young ball club, and they’ve got a great first-year head coach in Sean McManus,” Lemon said. “Really excited for Sean and his voyage that he’s getting ready to go on with his team.”

Lemon said just sticking to the offensive approach that has gotten them to where they are in the season is key moving forward in the playoffs. The eighth-seeded Sandcrabs travel to  No. 1 Winter Springs on Thursday, April 24, in the Region 2-5A quarterfinals. 

“To see the amount of work that they put in come to fruition and to enjoy and reap the benefits of it is what it’s all about,” he said.

 

Latest News

  • April 21, 2026
Mainland holds off Lake Howell 14-12 in flag football district semifinal
  • April 21, 2026
First Avenue stormwater project in The Hammock could soon begin construction phase
  • April 21, 2026
Alachua County firefighter files to run for Ormond Beach mayor
  • April 21, 2026
Vincent’s Clubhouse celebrates 10 years, raises just over $39K at anniversary gala
×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.