Trenton baseball will compete against Union County in the FHSAA Rural State Championship game, marking the first state champion from the Gainesville area since 2021. This matchup features the top two-ranked teams in the class.
Key points
Trenton faces Union County in the FHSAA Rural State Championship
First Gainesville area baseball state champion since 2021
All-local matchup between top two-ranked teams
Trenton won Region 4, Union County won Region 3
TrentonUnion CountyFHSAA Rural State Championship
Trenton baseball vs Union County FHSAA Rural State Championship game live updates
For the first time since the 2021 season, the Gainesville area will have a baseball state champion.
That much is guaranteed before first pitch of the FHSAA Rural State Championship Game because itâs an all-local matchup.
Trenton will face Union County in a battle between the winners of Region 4 and 3 and the top two-ranked teams in the class.
It was a matchup that was scheduled to transpire April 8, but rain canceled it.
Newberry, in 2021, then a member of Rural Class, was the last local team to win it all. The last all-local matchup came two years before when Williston knocked off Chiefland.
Both the Union County Fightinâ Tigers and the Trenton Tigers enter Thursdayâs battle with high confidence. Trenton has rolled through every team it faced in the postseason. Itâs won all five postseason games by an average of nearly nine runs.
Trenton William Herndon (11) dives back to first as Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Q&A
What teams are playing in the FHSAA Rural State Championship game?
Trenton and Union County are the teams competing in the FHSAA Rural State Championship game.
When was the last time Gainesville had a baseball state champion?
The last baseball state champion from the Gainesville area was in the 2021 season.
What regions did Trenton and Union County win to reach the championship?
Trenton won Region 4 and Union County won Region 3 to reach the championship game.
Why is the FHSAA Rural State Championship game significant for Gainesville?
The championship game is significant as it guarantees a state champion from the Gainesville area for the first time in two years.
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Trenton William Herndon (11) dives back to first as Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Trenton Joniel Duran (21) makes a catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) slides back to first while Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) makes the catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) looks to steal second during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) slides back to first while Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) makes the catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) steals second during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) gets Williston Cannon Sims (9) out at first during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Braige Schneider (7) hits during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Braige Schneider (7) hits during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Harlan Cole (6) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Cannon Sims (9) goes for the tag on Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) steals second when the ball gets by Trenton Brant Bivens (1) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw at first during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Colby Jansen (1) misses the out as Trenton Gabriel Cobb (4) scores during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Williston Maverick Jones (8) steals third past Trenton Gabriel Cobb (4) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton William Herndon (11) dives back to first as Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton William Herndon (11) dives back to first as Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
2 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton William Herndon (11) dives back to first as Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
3 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton Joniel Duran (21) makes a catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
4 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) slides back to first while Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) makes the catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
5 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) looks to steal second during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
6 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) slides back to first while Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) makes the catch during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
7 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) steals second during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
8 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Trenton Pierson Weatherilt (27) gets Williston Cannon Sims (9) out at first during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
9 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Braige Schneider (7) hits during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
10 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Braige Schneider (7) hits during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
11 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Harlan Cole (6) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
12 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Cannon Sims (9) goes for the tag on Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
13 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
14 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) steals second when the ball gets by Trenton Brant Bivens (1) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
15 / 19
Trenton baseball vs Union County FHSAA Rural State Championship game live updates
Trenton Mason Vuncannon (3) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
16 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Daxton Weston (15) takes the throw at first during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
17 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) pitches during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
18 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Colby Jansen (1) misses the out as Trenton Gabriel Cobb (4) scores during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
19 / 19
Trenton baseball travels to Williston to take on the Red Devils. See the photos!
Williston Maverick Jones (8) steals third past Trenton Gabriel Cobb (4) during an FHSAA baseball game at Williston High School baseball field in Williston, FL on Thursday, March 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
In the state semifinal 8-0 win over Holmes County, Mason VunCannon delivered a complete-game three hit shutout. At 23-5, TMHS is in the Final Four for the third year in a row but in the title game for the first time. The Tigers are seeking their third state title to go with 2013 and 2017.
Union County hasnât won a state title since 2012, but it carries around some confidence of its own, and deservedly so.
Two of the Fightinâ Tigers' wins in the region playoffs came by one run, but they needed to advance past powerhouse Lafayette to reach this point. UCHS still hasnât lost a playoff game, and Erick Lasseter dominated in the state semifinals with a three-hit shutout vs. Cottondale.
Follow for live updates from Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
FHSAA Rural Baseball State Championship live updates
This section will be updated.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
