Sports Briefs 04.14.11

+ Braden River wins Havoc tourney
The Braden River Havoc 10U youth baseball team won the Second Annual Wreaking Havoc Baseball Tournament April 2-3 at Braden River Park.

The team earned the No. 1 seed in the single-elimination tournament after going undefeated in pool play.
Players include: Jason Hauck, Gabe Silva, Austin Brinling, Devin Guzman, Kieren Collins, Josiah Clark, Davis Labolt, Andre Nunez, Caleb Whitson, Max Runde and Paul Labriola.

+ FC Sarasota boys win President’s Cup
The FC Sarasota U12 boys soccer team defeated First Coast Academy 5-2 to win the President’s Cup state championship April 2-3 in Lake Myrtle.

The team outscored its opponents 30-8 over eight games to capture the state title.
State champion players include: John Rivera, Zack McLaughlin, Henry Howell, Tyler Puhalovich, Adi Trifka, Alex Virgillio, Chris Pennewill, Nathan Ellis, Daniel Rocco, Maxwell Yull and Jonathan Fulkert.

+ Braden River grad wins Ave Maria honor
Krista Wells was chosen as Ave Maria University’s Athlete of the Week for the week ending March 27.
Wells, a junior centerfielder, helped lead the Ave Maria softball team to victories over Wooster College and Mt. Mary College March 22.

Wells was a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts, increasing her yearly total to 31 and also drew six walks and scored three runs.

+ Lady Mustangs swing past Lady Rams
The Lakewood Ranch softball team defeated Riverview 6-2 April 6.

Huntyre Elling and Brittany Kilduff combined for the win, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking three.

Jenn Trotter went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, two RBIs and two runs scored; and Taylor Newton went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, two RBIs and a run scored to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate.

Dana Hutchins went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored and Sarah Burnett went 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

The Lady Mustangs return to action at 7 p.m., tomorrow night at Sarasota.

+ Lady Pirates win on Senior Night
The Braden River High softball team celebrated the accomplishments of seniors Melissa Malanczuk, Bri Maxa, Rachel Patneaude, Brooke Ribarich, Jada Schopfer and Nicole Tira with a 10-0 victory over DeSoto on Senior Night April 8.

Hannah Loyer and Courtney Mirabella combined for the shutout, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 11.

Maxa went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple, and Ashley Allard went 3-for-4 with a double to lead the way for Braden River at the plate.

With the win, the Lady Pirates, currently ranked No. 38 in the nation in the ESPN/Rise Fab 50 National Softball Poll, improve their record to 18-2 and 7-0 in the district.

Braden River returns to action against Manatee April 13 at GT Bray.

+ BRSC U15 boys finish second in Region C Finals
The Braden River U15 boys soccer team captured the second-place trophy in the Region C Cup April 2-3.

The team survived an early first-round scare to advance to the semifinals against Fusion FC of Tampa.

Braden River took a 3-0 halftime lead on goals by Ryan Sollozzo and solid goalkeeping by Ian Crawford.

Adam Chaffee, Justin Rawlings and Conor Clymore each scored a goal in the second half to preserve a 6-2 victory for the Rage.

In the Region C Finals, Braden River and the Cape Coral Cyclones remained scoreless after regulation and a pair of overtime periods. The Rage eventually fell to the Cyclones on penalty kicks. Braden River is currently ranked No. 15 in Florida and was competing in their second Region C Finals in four years.

+ Manatee adult league to host youth competition
The Manatee Adult Baseball League will host an Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition for area youth April 16.

The competition will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Field 7 of the Braden River Sports Complex, 5201 51st St. E.

Participants will be divided into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14. Competitors will have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including the Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.

The individual pitching, hitting and running champions, along with the All-Around Champion in each age group at the local competition will be awarded and advance to the sectional level of competition.

The Pitch, Hit & Run Competition is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball. The program is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to compete in a free competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball and softball skills.

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and fill out a waiver and registration form prior to the start of competition.

For more information, contact Dave Montgomery at 748-8470 or [email protected].