PORT ORANGE — Rolling momentum over from an emotional district championship victory, Spruce Creek made fairly quick work of Jacksonville Sandalwood in its playoff opener.
Tyler Colby homered and drove in three runs, and the Hawks put up five runs in the first inning en route to a 13-2 victory in Wednesday's Region 1-9A quarterfinal. Spruce Creek (18-10) extended its winning streak to six and will host rival University in semifinal action next week.
Colby, a Florida Atlantic signee, missed the entire 2017 season with a torn right ACL. She put the Hawks ahead in the eighth inning of the district title game, and gave her team a lead out of the gate with a run-scoring double to deep center.
"To see (how far we went) and coming into this year, it made me so exciting. I want to win (the region) and go on to states," Colby said. "I know we can do it. It's really fuel to the fire."
Four other Hawks drove in a pair of runs — Hayley Lazo, Maddy Childs, Caitlin McGinley and Mackenzie Childs. Spruce Creek pounded out six extra-base hits.
Trailing 8-0, Sandalwood (13-13) loaded the bases with only one out in the third but came away with just one run. Lauren Fisher spoiled the shutout by scoring on a wild pitch. Elizabeth Kelley drove in a run for the Saints in the fifth, but Kassi Clark fanned back-to-back hitters to end the game early.
Spruce Creek will look to advance to a region final for the third year in a row. Bouncing back after a lopsided regular-season sweep at the hands of University, the Hawks expect another classic at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"It's going to be a quality game, like it was not even a week ago," Hawks coach Cameron McClelland said. "This place is going to be hopping, and it's probably going to come down to who makes the first mistake."
DELTONA 11, MELBOURNE 1: Madi Humphrey went 4-for-4, Morgan Lebeda bashed her 10th home run and Abagaile Killian fanned 11 batters as Deltona (24-2) eliminated Melbourne in six innings in a Region 2-7A quarterfinal.
The Wolves, who have never advanced beyond the second round in program history, will host Viera in a Region 2-7A semifinal.
Lebeda and Michelle Decker both collected a pair of hits and drove in three runs. Killian scattered a hit and two walks in another dominant pitching outing.
UNIVERSITY 5, MANDARIN 3: Marissa Adame tossed a six-hitter and had two hits at the plate as University defeated Jacksonville Mandarin for the second time this year. The Titans (21-5) toppled the host Mustangs, 1-0, in the Battle at the Beach championship game on March 24.
Adame struck out nine, upping her season total to 215 Ks in 151 innings. Julia Duncan went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
VIERA 5, MATANZAS 1: Viera scored four runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a win over visiting Matanzas in a Region 2-7A quarterfinal.
Kelly Bishop, Brianna Hatley and Corrin Flajole each went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Morgan Mordas added a double for the host Hawks (24-1). Karyana Mitchell struck out nine Matanzas hitters.
Jessica Rodrigues and Isabella Santiago each tallied a hit for the Pirates, who end the season with a 14-12 record.
NATURE COAST TECH 4, TAYLOR 2: Taylor squandered an early lead, surrendering five runs in a crucial fifth inning to Brooksville Nature Coast Tech.
Alyssa Kelly had two hits and picked up the win for the visiting Sharks. Deanna Cunningham and Kaylee Cowart recorded two hits apiece for the Wildcats (18-5).
HERNANDO 8, ATLANTIC 0: For the second year in a row, the Sharks bowed out in the opening round to Brooksville Hernando.
The Sharks finish the season with a 15-6 record. According to FHSAA records, Atlantic last won a postseason game in 2000.