Pirates' pitching duo poses dual threat

BRADEN RIVER — There have been numerous times throughout their careers when Braden River sophomores Courtney Mirabella and Hannah Loyer haven’t had an arm to rely on other than their own.

Mirabella is the only pitcher on her Sarasota Quicksilver travel ball team, and as the Lady Pirates ace, she finds herself getting the call on the mound more often that not. But when Mirabella went down with mono toward the end of last season, Loyer became Braden River’s only pitcher for five weeks.

Loyer led the Lady Pirates throughout the district tournament and into the postseason, but she’ll be the first one to admit it’s a scenario she doesn’t want to revisit.

“There was some pressure,” Loyer said. “I was the only other pitcher, so I didn’t really have a choice. But with (two pitchers) if you have a bad day, you can always count on someone else to come in for you.”

Luckily for Loyer and the rest of the Braden River team, they haven’t had to rely on the arm of one pitcher. Instead, the Lady Pirates have enjoyed the success of two aces this year.

“In travel ball, I throw every game, so it’s nice to have Hannah,” Mirabella said. “It’s nice just knowing someone always has your back if you do mess up.”

The two have combined for 24 wins and 320 strikeouts this season. Mirabella is 18-2 on the mound this season — her lone losses coming at the bats of nationally ranked Sarasota (1-0) and Bartow (2-0) — while Loyer is a perfect 6-0.

“I like pressure situations,” Mirabella said. “It’s more fun.”

Loyer agreed.

“She’s a strong pitcher and works well under pressure,” Loyer said of Mirabella.

The Lady Pirates have allowed just 15 runs this season, thanks it large part to a strong defensive effort and the variety in Mirabella’s and Loyer’s styles. Mirabella tends to have more movement and variety in her pitches, while Loyer throws more heat.

“They have very good control,” coach Doug Powell said. “The teams can’t get used to one style. That’s a tremendous weapon to have, and we have been fortunate to have them in the same year, on the same team and in the same class.”

Loyer and Mirabella both began playing at a young age, but it wasn’t until they were 10 and 11 years old, respectively, that they took to the mound for the first time. Mirabella was forced into the position after her team’s starting pitcher got hurt, while Loyer was eager to try pitching.

In addition to the Lady Pirates, both play travel ball — Mirabella for the Sarasota Quicksilver and Loyer for Tropic Wave.

Now, Mirabella and Loyer are leading the top-seeded Lady Pirates to what they hope will be the team’s third district title. Last season, Braden River finished as the district runner-up behind East County rival Lakewood Ranch before eventually falling to the Lady Mustangs in the regional semifinals.

Braden River played host to the winner of the quarterfinal game between St. Pete Lakewood and Palmetto April 20 in the district semifinals.

“I think we’re a lot more disciplined and more talented this year,” Mirabella said. “Our goal is to win states, and a lot of people are expecting us to.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].