Meeting on the Mound

East County and district rivals Braden River and Lakewood Ranch took to the fields in pivotal district contests Feb. 22.

The host Lady Pirates defeated the Lady Mustangs 1-0. Sophomore Courtney Mirabella pitched a complete game for Braden River, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out 17.

After four scoreless innings, the Lady Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a double by Ashley Allard, which drove in Kenya Yancy from first base. Braden River notched eight hits off Lakewood pitcher Huntyre Elling. Allard went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI, and Nicole Tira went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the way for Braden River at the plate.

Meanwhile, the visiting Lakewood Ranch baseball team defeated Braden River 9-1. Junior Seth McGarry held the Pirates to just two hits in six innings to preserve the win for the Mustangs. Zach Larson hit a two-run home run, and Connor Lewellan drove in three runs to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate. With the win, Lakewood improves to 3-0 in the district, while the Pirates fall to 1-2.