Mustangs pitch way into regional final

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team earned a trip to the regional finals with a 6-4 victory over Tampa King in the Class 6A-Region 3 semifinals May 8.

The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when leadoff hitter Seth McGarry hit a triple to deep left field and then came around to score on a RBI by Justin Greenaway.

Lakewood extended its lead in the second inning. Tyler Dauphinee drew a walk and stole second before coming around to score on a RBI single by Connor Lewellen.

Tampa King tied the game in the fourth inning, but the Mustangs responded with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Lions intentionally walked Zack Larson to load the bases and then hit Brandon King to walk in Lewellen. McGarry, Larson and King all came around to score in the inning.

Tampa King scored runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but McGarry came on in relief and struck out the Lions final two batters.

McGarry went 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored. Lewellen and Brad Zunica both went 2-for-3 with a RBI and Dauphinee went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base, a RBI and a run scored.

With the win, Lakewood will face District 9 champion Winter Haven in the regional finals May 11 at Winter Haven.

For a complete story on the Mustangs regional semifinal and final action pick up the May 17 issue of the East County Observer.