Lakewood Ranch advances to regional semifinal

Behind the arm of senior Seth McGarry, the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team advanced to the regional semifinals for the third straight season with an 8-1 victory over Tampa Sickles in a Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal tonight.

The host Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Bryan Vanvranken drew a walk and Tyler Dauphinee hit a sacrifice bunt. An error on the Gryphons pitcher allowed Vanvranken to go to third and Dauphinee to reach safely. Vanvranken then scored on a RBI single by Brad Zunica.

Tampa Sickles responded in the top of the third inning; but four hits, two walks, five errors and a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning led to seven runs for the Mustangs.

McGarry allowed one run on three hits while striking out five before turning the ball over to Jake Axley in relief. McGarry also went 2-for-4 with a stolen base, a RBI and a run scored.

Mike Lolli went 3-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored and Vanvranken went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and two runs scored to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate.

With the win, the Mustangs will face the winner of the regional quarterfinal between Tampa King and Seminole Osceola in a regional semifinal May 8.

For a complete story on the Mustangs regional tournament run pick up the May 10 issue of the East County Observer.