Lakewood's Mustangs fall in regional semifinals

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Senior Nick Castner’s season didn’t quite go as planned.

The Lakewood Ranch first baseman, one of two seniors on the Mustangs roster, struggled at the plate and watched as six sophomores and a freshman powered their way into the starting lineup.

But rather than getting swept up in a wave of disappointment, Castner rallied together with his teammates and helped the Mustangs overcome a dismal 1-9 start and earn a spot in the postseason.

“Nick is one of our finest students, our finest representatives, our finest citizens and one of the finest young men we have at this school,” Lakewood coach Mike Mullen said. “His season didn’t go the way he wanted it last year. It didn’t go the way he wanted it this year, but he persevered and he stepped to it, and he was a great teammate. And that’s something that I can’t say about everybody.”

It was by no means the season he envisioned. Nor did it end the way he had hoped. But as Castner walked off the field for the final time wearing a Mustangs uniform following Lakewood’s 7-1 loss to Tampa Jesuit in the Class 4A-Region 3 semifinals May 8, he couldn’t help but be impressed with the way the team had turned its season around.

“I’m really proud of our guys,” said Castner, who went 1-for-1 at the plate. “We started out 1-9 and made it to the top 16. Not many people can say that they’ve done that.”

After defeating Tampa Jefferson 6-5 in the regional quarterfinals May 4, Lakewood played host to the District 9 runner-up Tampa Jesuit. The game, originally scheduled for May 7, was moved to the following day to alleviate a conflict with Lakewood’s Prom.

“I did that for my seniors who I wanted to be here for our final game … they needed to be a part of this win or lose,” Mullen said. “For our team our whole thing has been family all summer long, all summer and all spring that’s been kind of our chant. We’ve been all about family, so we weren’t leaving anybody back.”

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the third inning, junior Shane Davidson hit a two-out single and sophomore Zack Larson hit an RBI double to deep left field to tie the game at 1-1.

But the Tigers responded with five runs in the fifth inning, which proved to be the difference in the game as the Mustangs struggled at the plate.

Lakewood sophomore Seth McGarry kept the Tigers off balance, allowing just three hits in 4 2/3 innings of work —all of which came in the fifth inning — before turning the ball over to freshman Brett Hanewich.
McGarry was charged with six runs — one of which was earned.

“Seth pitched his heart out,” Mullen said. “He’s got some physical maturing to do, but he’s going to turn into somebody special.”

Lakewood loses two seniors in Castner and Austin Pope from this year’s squad, but with the majority of its starting lineup returning next season, Mullen is eager to see what the future holds for the Mustangs.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the kids,” he said. “They worked hard. This is a great experience — reaching the semifinals — for a bunch of 10th-graders. I’m jacked up. I can’t wait for next year.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].