Pirates fall against Lake Wales in quarterfinal

With only seven base runners throughout the game, the Pirates, who had been dominant at the plate all season, were held in check in a tough Class 4A regional quarterfinal.
 
Lake Wales pitcher Justin Shafer pitched his second no-hitter of the season while striking out six. Braden River’s Marc Monroe held his own on the mound, pitching a complete game without an earned run. Monroe allowed just five hits while striking out eight and walking one.
 
The Pirates (23-4) and the Highlanders (11-8) remained scoreless through five innings before Ryne Knuth led off the top of the sixth inning with a single. Colton Davis followed with a sacrifice bunt to advance Knuth to second, but Knuth took a wide turn and headed straight toward third base. Pirate first baseman Ryan Grant was slow to react in his throw to third, which sailed over the head of third baseman Stephen Fischer and allowed Knuth to score the game’s only run.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].