Zach Larson homered, had two hits and drove in three runs Friday as the Lakewood Ranch baseball team claimed a 10-0 victory over visiting Southeast in a game shortened to five innings by the run rule.
Pitchers Brandon King and Kyle Benson teamed up on a no-hitter, striking out eight and walking none. Seth McGarry and Brad Zunica each had two hits for the Mustangs (2-0).
On Thursday night, Lakewood Ranch scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to knock off Manatee, 4-3, at G.T. Bray park.
Larson’s single knocked in the go-ahead run, and Zunica picked up the victory in relief.
n JV: Cameron Pearcey went 2-for-3 and scored three times as the Mustangs’ junior varsity won 10-4 at Southeast. Brandon Ambrose got the win in relief for Lakewood Ranch (2-0).
PALMETTO 17, BOOKER 1 (5) -- The visiting Tigers (2-1) got a grand slam and six RBIs from Bret Vedder in a run-rule victory over the Tornadoes.
Starting pitcher Wyat Easterling went the distance for the victory, allowing four hits and an unearned run while striking out six. John Collins added two hits, and Easterling added a double and two RBIs.
OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY 3, ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY 2 -- Desmond Lindsay’s triple knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth as the host Thunder got the victory.
Justin Fischer earned his first victory on the mound.
Juco softball
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA 1-4, SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE 0-3 -- The Manatees’ outstanding pitching nearly let the second game of a sweep get away, but Kirstin Toole recorded a strikeout for the final out with a runner on third as visiting SCF improved to 16-4.
SCF starter Paige Mathews got the win despite walking six batters and allowing six hits and all three runs. Toole earned the save. Dani Wayt went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to lead the offense.
In the opening game, Chelsea Oglevie fired a four-hitter for the Manatees’ third shutout in two days. She struck out one and walked 1.
SCF’s lone run came when Wayt singled, moved up on an Ashley Burney single and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning. Angie Dascoli was 2-for-2, Burney 2-for-3 for the Manatees.
Prep softball
BRADEN RIVER 3, SARASOTA 2 -- The visiting Pirates scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull out the victory and go 3-0.
Courtney Mirabella got the victory, striking out nine and allowing seven hits and two earned runs.
Hannah Loyer, Hannah Ryan and Jess Cadorette had two hits apiece.
JUNIOR VARSITY -- Brooke Flynn was the winning pitcher as the Manatee junior varsity softball team collected a 13-1 victory over host Bayshore in five innings.
Youth baseball
NATIONS WINTER NATIONALS -- The Bradenton BEACH DAWGS beat the Suncoast Athletics 11-3 and the Florida Curve 2-1. Logan O’Leary threw a complete game, striking out six , and Luka Torralva had three hits in the nightcap.
-- Herald staff reports
