Merritt Island Cruises To Fourth Straight District Crown

The 2026 District 4A-13 champion Merritt Island Mustangs. *Photo from Kevin Buster Beal.

The Merritt Island Mustangs have taken care of business to prepare for the state playoffs. Heading into the district playoffs as one of the top-ranked teams in the state, as well as the #1 team in the Space Coast Power Rankings, Merritt Island was all but assured of a spot in the state playoffs even if an upset happened. But instead the Mustangs left no chance to doubt, cruising to a district championship and the automatic berth it rewards.

Merritt Island burst out the gate with five runs in the first and never looked back for a 10-0 win over the Eau Gallie Commodores, in Thursday’s District 4A-13 final. It is the fourth straight district title for the program, which also included a regional title in 2024 that saw the club back to the state Final Four tournament. Now improving to 22-3, this year’s Mustangs squad certainly has its sights set on a return to the state tournament in Fort Myers in pursuit of the school’s third state championship.

The offense set the tone right away, as it pounded out 13 hits to close the game out in five innings via the mercy rule. Sophomore Ty Brandes made an immediate and massive impact at the top of the order, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, three runs and three RBI. Liam Miller was 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI and a run, and Ryder Widick went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run.

*Photo from Kevin Buster Beal.

Brandes also got the job done on the mound to earn the victory. He allowed two hits in three scoreless frames, striking out six without issuing any walks. Gabe Norman then held the line by striking out five in two scoreless relief innings.

Merritt Island has now won its last four straight games to build some momentum heading into the playoffs. The club is assured a home game in the opening quarterfinals round, and likely straight through the bracket. The bracket will be announced on Monday at 2:00 P.M.

The Commodores (15-10) also have an excellent chance of earning a berth into the state playoffs, as a wild card. Eau Gallie won eight of its final ten games to make a run to the district final.

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