JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The body of work is special for Aidan King.
The Bishop Snyder ace and All-News4JAX baseball player of the year led the state in strikeouts, lifted the Cardinals to the first two playoff wins in school history and signed with the University of Florida.
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But it’s the number 20 that continues to pull the headlines.
Twenty, as in striking out 20 of the 21 batters he faced in a playoff win over Providence on May 8. The chances of that happening at all is remote in the pitch count era where hurlers are capped at no more than 105 throws in a game. King hit 105 on the number as Snyder won 3-0, the first playoff win in program history.
King also homered and doubled in the game. But it was the number “20″ that bounced across social media and screamed out in headlines. Months later, it’s still talked about in hallowed terms and is seared in the recordbooks forever.
“When I got to Gainesville, people were still bringing it up, like the kids on the team were bringing it up,” King said. “And it’s just, it’s something I remember still to this day. I was watching videos from it. It’s still crazy to me how I did it. It doesn’t feel real, but it’s an accomplishment that I’m very proud of.”
That number will always be attached to King, but his value to the program went far past that one night. He arrived at Snyder and made an immediate impact on the mound as a freshman. The team success wasn’t there back then, but the team made significant strides in 2022 in winning a district championship.
Turbulence outside the field put a stain on 2023, with Snyder going from district title at 16-5 to a 5-16 fall and turmoil threatening to rip the team apart. It forced players to take a hard look at themselves and each other, bind together through conversations and time together and refocus for the future.
“Even though it was a tough season last year, and it was pretty heartbreaking for a lot of us, it still in a way made us closer together,” King said. “Like, we went through all that trouble last year, and unfortunately, it all happened. But all in all, it seemed like it made us closer together.”
King said that the through the challenges both on and off the field, the Cardinals were galvanized for 2024. They played a far more difficult schedule than they had before, facing the Providences and Trinity Christians in the local ranks and going to the Perfect Game Showdown in Hoover, Ala. That prepared them to go on the road in the second round of the playoffs to face the top-ranked team in the state in all classifications, Pensacola Catholic. Snyder came back with a 6-5 win in 10 innings over the 27-1 Crusaders.
King said that win — not his 20 strikeout game — perfectly summed up the Cardinals and the bond between the players on this year’s team. They were counted out after last year and were given little chance to win on the road against a perennial powerhouse.
“I’d say the brotherhood. I mean, even though I had a good year and it was probably one of my successful years, it’s probably the brotherhood,” he said. “It’s a group of friends that I’ll probably never walk away from. I talk to them everyday still, even though I’m in Gainesville. It’s something that I’ve built over the four years with a couple of guys and it’s just a friendship that will probably never go away.”
All-News4JAX baseball
First team
Pos., Player, School, Class
P Colson Altman, Baker County, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Went 6-2 with 113 Ks in 70.2 IP. His strikeout total ranked 10th in the state. Was combined 15-4 with 0.81 ERA, 221 Ks over final 2 seasons for 16-13 Baker.
P Aidan King, Bishop Snyder, Sr.
All-News4JAX player of the year. Florida signee. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year. Second-team All-News4JAX as a sophomore. Perfect Game second-team All-American. Went 9-1 and led state in Ks (144). Had 1.06 ERA in 72.1 IP. Whiffed 20 of 21 batters in state playoff opener. Hit .300 with 2 HR, 14 RBI, 22 runs scored.
P David Martin, Bolles, Sr.
Big arm of the Bulldogs, he went 8-2 with 78 Ks, 1.53 ERA in 54.2 IP. Signed with Samford. Had 113 Ks, 2.12 ERA, 10 wins in career.
P Jake Meadows, Beachside, Sr.
Led Barracudas to their best season, including district title and first playoff win. Went 5-3 with 1.22 ERA, 93 Ks in 57.1 IP. College of Central Florida signee.
P Ethan Wheeler, Trinity Christian, So.
Major arm in loaded Conquerors rotation. Whiffed 72 in 46.1 IP with a save. Finished 6-1 with 0.91 ERA as Trinity rolled to the Class 3A state semifinals. Florida commit. MaxPreps sophomore All-American selection.
C Hunter Carns, First Coast, Sr.
Four-time All-News4JAX selection. Player of the year in 2023. Hit .384 with 7 HR, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored. Career .457 hitter with 21 HRs, 32 doubles, 11 triples, 108 runs scored. Florida State signee.
IF Jordan Martinez, Trinity Christian, So.
Huge season for the shortstop. Hit .359 with 7 HR, 8 doubles, 4 triples. Had 27 runs and 28 RBI. Stole 9 bases as Conquerors stormed to the Class 3A state semifinals.
IF George Gilson, St. Johns Country Day, Sr.
Postseason star had walk-off hits in regional final and state semifinal. Hit .425 with 4 HR, 6 doubles, team-best 37 hits, 23 runs scored, 14 stolen bases as Spartans won Class 2A title for first in program history. Flagler College signee.
IF Dom Patruno, Englewood, Jr.
Indispensable player for the Rams. Hit .515 with 28 RBI, 14 extra base hits. Had 11 stolen bases. Made just 2 errors in 86 chances. On the mound, he was 5-4 with 80 Ks in 54 IP, 2.33 ERA, 2 saves. Received more votes from coaches than every player except Aidan King.
IF Ayden Phillips, Columbia, Jr.
Another player in the conversation as the area’s best. Likely enters 2025 as the player of the year frontrunner. Second-team All-News4JAX selection last year. Hit .450 with 31 RBI, 15 extra-base hits (6 HR), 26 runs scored and 75 Ks in 49.1 IP.
OF Kyle Boylston, St. Johns Country Day, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Hit .316 for Class 2A state champs with 5 HR, 5 doubles, 17 RBI. Second on the team with 30 hits and led Spartans with 30 runs, 24 stolen bases. Had .976 fielding percentage (1 error in 41 chances). Signed with Florida Atlantic. Career .369 hitter.
OF Owen Delaney, Bishop Kenny, Jr.
Breakout season. Hit .457 with 43 hits, 23 RBI, 8 extra-base hits, 8 stolen bases for 20-9 Crusaders. Made just one error in 44 chances.
OF Brady Harris, Trinity Christian, So.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Hit .371 with 18 RBI, 18 runs scored and 5 homers as Conquerors reached Class 3A state semifinals. Made just one error. MaxPreps sophomore All-American selection.
UT Brayden Harris, Trinity Christian, So.
Notched four wins on the mound with a save. Whiffed 89 in 51.2 IP, 1.22 ERA. Second team All-News4JAX last year. Florida State commit. Hit .374 with 16 RBI, team-best 36 hits, 17 runs scored. MaxPreps sophomore All-American selection.
UT Chayce Kieck, Bolles, Sr.
Best season of his career. Second team All-News4JAX selection last year. Clemson signee. Hit .378 with 4 doubles, 6 RBI, 12 runs scored. Dominant hurler. Went 8-2 with 67 Ks in 60.2 IP, 1.62 ERA.
Second team
Pos., Player, School, Class
P Preston Andrews, Clay, Sr.
Led Blue Devils staff with 6-0 mark, 1.50 ERA with a pair of saves. Whiffed 45 in 51.1 IP as Clay went 18-10 and reached regional finals.
P Jack Ensell, St. Johns Country Day, Sr.
Huge season en route to 2A state title. Went 8-1 and Whiffed 96 in 75 IP as opponents hit just .206 against him. Headed to Barry University.
P Preston Matricardi, Yulee, Fr.
Superb first season for lefty Florida State commit. Went 6-3 with 1.66 ERA, 65 Ks in 38 IP.
P Landon McDonald, Oakleaf, Sr.
Went 6-2 with 55 Ks, just 9 walks in 55.1 IP and a 0.89 ERA. Went 13-3 in career.
OF Aiden Arnett, Trinity Christian, Jr.
Hit .385 with 11 extra-base hits, 35 total hits, 26 runs scored and 23 RBI as Conquerors reached the 3A state semifinals. Had .933 fielding percentage (2 errors in 30 chances).
OF Connor Guy, Keystone Heights, Sr.
Best season of his career with .526 average, 41 hits, 35 runs scored, 18 extra-base hits (5 HRs) and 22 RBI. Added 17 stolen bases and didn’t commit an error in the field. Whiffed 16 in 9.2 IP to earn a win and pick up a save. Daytona State College signee.
OF Andy Lemaster, Tocoi Creek, Sr.
Led Toros with a .385 average. Drove in 25 runs, scored 26 times and had a couple homers. Didn’t make an error all season for 18-8 Tocoi Creek.
IF Seth Alford, St. Johns Country Day, Sr.
Hit .304 with 16 extra-base hits (6 of those HRs), 26 RBI and 27 runs scored for 2A state champs. Added 15 stolen bases. Had 7 pitching appearances and whiffed 22 in 14 IP, 1.50 ERA. Signed with UNF.
IF/OF Anthony Brown, Englewood, Sr.
Two-time second team All-News4JAX selection. Hit .453 with 13 extra-base hits, 15 RBI. Swiped 23 bases. Signed with Jackson State.
IF Kolt Myers, St. Johns Country Day, Sr.
Hit .305 with 9 extra-base hits, 22 runs scored, 22 RBI and 17 stolen bases for Class 2A state champs. Florida signee.
IF Spencer Stephens, Bolles, Sr.
Hit .379 with 33 hits, 9 doubles, 4 HR and 27 RBI. Career .392 hitter with 30 RBI. Signed with Navy.
IF Mason Wortmann, Providence, Sr.
Belted 3 homers and had 8 doubles for the Stallions. Hit .304 with 12 RBI, 23 runs scored. Second-team All-News4JAX last year. Added a couple saves in relief on the mound. Headed to Tallahassee Community College.
UT Cody Boshell, Snyder, So.
Another integral part of the best season in Snyder history. Tennessee commit. Went 7-1 on the mound with 83 Ks, 2.58 ERA. Hit .345 with 3 HR, 27 RBI, 20 runs scored. MaxPreps sophomore All-American selection.
UT Dominic Cantona, Bartram Trail, So.
Catcher made huge strides across the board. Hit .443 with 18 RBI, 31 hits. Made just 3 errors in 169 chances (.982 fielding percentage).
UT Caden Worbington, University Christian, Jr.
Leader of a very good UC team, he hit team-high .395 with 34 hits, 16 RBI and 16 runs scored. On the mound, he went 3-2 with 74 Ks, 1.12 ERA in 50 IP.
Honorable mention
Position, Player, School, Class
IF Ben Abram, Fleming Island, Sr.
OF Dayton Adams, Baker County, So.
P/IF Garrett Albright, Yulee, Sr.
UT Ethan Anderson, Englewood
OF Sean Ashenfelder, Creekside, Jr.
P Gage Barry, Keystone Heights, Jr.
IF/P Nikko Bates, Riverside, Sr.
OF/P Keegan Beckham, Eagle’s View, Jr.
OF Sean Benjamin, Fernandina Beach, Sr.
UT Dominic Cantona, Bartram Trail, So.
OF Cole Carnell, Clay, Jr.
C Franco Chaluja, Bishop Kenny, Jr.
UT Jorden Clarke, Oakleaf, Sr.
IF Tyson Cruz, Orange Park, Sr.
P/UT Kason Degrande, Menendez, Sr.
UT Cole Dennis, Bishop Kenny, So.
UT Brauly Dominguez, Parker, Sr.
C Maddux Dowler, St. Augustine, So.
P Gavin Duprey, Creekside, Fr.
UT Cade Eidam, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
P Tyler Ellis, Trinity Christian, So.
IF/OF JP Espinosa, Oakleaf, Jr.
IF Brock Falor, Beachside, Sr.
UT Cooper Farah, Baldwin, So.
UT Kyle Geib, Menendez, Sr.
IF Jackson Geist, Bolles, Jr.
C Gabe Gonzalez, Bolles, Sr.
P Brayden Harris, Tocoi Creek, Jr.
UT Jackson Hadden, Christ’s Church, Sr.
OF Ryan Hansen, St. Augustine, Sr.
IF Drew Harmon, Mandarin, Jr.
IF Bryson Harnage, University Christian, Jr.
OF/P Camden Harnage, University Christian, Sr.
P Logan Hartman, Bartram Trail, Sr.
IF Adam Harvey, Creekside, Sr.
UT Bryson Hebert, Harvest Community, Sr.
OF Xavier Hutton-Corp, Fernandina Beach, Sr.
OF Andrew Johnson, Providence, Sr.
IF Dameon Jones, Paxon, Sr.
OF Mason Jones, Yulee, So.
IF/OF Reece Kicklighter, Wolfson, Sr.
OF/P Trenton Klein, Union County, Jr.
P Skylar Kokoszka, St. Augustine, Jr.
UT Luke Labbe, Bartram Trail, So.
P Keegan Leckband, Fleming Island, Sr.
P Storm Lickliter, Ponte Vedra, So.
UT Parker Lowrance, Clay, Sr.
IF/OF/C Jesse Macik, Baldwin, So.
OF/P Carson Magyar, Episcopal, Sr.
IF Ty Martineau, Creekside, Sr.
C Talan McDonald, St. Joseph, Sr.
UT Trayce McKenzie, Columbia, Jr.
P Easton McMahan, Clay, Jr.
P Braeden McNamee, First Coast, Sr.
UT Alex Messer, Duval Charter, So.
P Alex Miller, Episcopal, Sr.
C Devon Moore, Orange Park, Sr.
OF Josh Murray, Fleming Island, Jr.
P Austin Musgrove, Keystone Heights, Sr.
P Keegan Leckband, Fleming Island
UT Connor Lewis, St. Joseph, Jr.
IF Nick Oliveira, Providence, Jr.
OF/IF Jack Ottesen, Episcopal, Jr.
IF Chase Pate, Tocoi Creek, Fr.
UT Jack Perry, Bishop Snyder, So.
UT Gage Petrutz, Trinity Christian, So.
P Jackson Phillips, Sandalwood, Sr.
P/IF Austin Pickett, University Christian, Sr.
C Landis Pickett, Yulee, Fr.
P Ethan Polce, Fletcher, Jr.
P Kyle Powers, Providence, Sr.
IF Noah Prudencio, Atlantic Coast, Jr.
UT Merrick Rapoza, Clay, Jr.
UT Chris Reali, Fleming Island, So.
UT Keegan Roach, Ridgeview, Sr.
IF/P Dalton Roberts, Fleming Island, Sr.
C Ben Robinson, Tocoi Creek, Sr.
OF Tristan Silver, Bishop Snyder, Fr.
IF/P Gerrit Slawitschka, Atlantic Coast, So.
P/UT Mason Smith, Baker County, Jr.
OF Ethan Strickland, Atlantic Coast, Sr.
SS Maddox Spencer, Nease, Jr.
IF Dayton Taylor, St. Joseph, Jr.
OF Gabe Torres, Ridgeview, Fr.
UT Aiden Torrez, St. Joseph, Sr.
OF/P Colin Ulrich, Bishop Kenny, So.
IF Nate Wade, Tocoi Creek, So.
P Aaron Watson, Trinity Christian, Jr.
C/P Brady Watson, Christ’s Church, Fr.