Area teams pound way to district wins

Class 7A-11

Braden River High senior Brooks Norton pitched a complete game shutout, leading the Pirates to a 3-0 victory over Charlotte in the Class 7A-District 11 quarterfinals April 23.

Norton allowed four hits and a walk while striking out seven.

Braden River took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Justin Phillips hit a double, stole third base and came home on a RBI by Ryan Dyson. Two batters later, Dylan Lee hit a solo home run to deep center field.

The Pirates added another run in the bottom of the third inning.

With the win, the No. 4 seed Pirates will travel to No. 1 seed Venice for tonight’s district semifinal.

The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal between Sarasota and Port Charlotte in Friday’s district championship.

Class 6A-12

The No. 5 seed Lakewood Ranch High baseball team held on to beat Palmetto 4-2 in eight innings of the Class 6A-District 12 quarterfinals April 23.

Senior Brad Zunica pitched a complete game to earn the win. He also drew four walks at the plate.

With the game tied 2-2, Zunica drew a walk and Justin Greenaway hit a single to put runners on the corners. The Tigers intentionally walked Andrew Giddens before Colton Chupp hit a game-winning two-run single.

With the win, Lakewood will travel to top-seeded Seminole Osceola for tonight’s district semifinals.

Class 3A-10

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team cruised to an 11-1 victory over Bradenton Christian in the Class 3A-District 10 semifinals April 23.

Austin Hoppe pitched a complete game, which was shortened because of the 10-run mercy rule, to earn the win.

Brad Jones, Parke Phillips and Hoppe all had run-scoring triples.

With the win, the Thunder will face Cardinal Mooney in the district championship April 26, at McKechnie Field.

The Cougars defeated St. Stephen’s 3-0 in the other district semifinal. Austin Bingham pitched a complete game, allowing two hits while striking out eight.

Class 8A-8

Sean Labsan threw a three-hit shutout and struck out 10 to lead the Riverview High baseball team to a 7-0 victory over Palm Harbor in the Class 8A-District 8 semifinals April 23.

With the win, the Rams will travel to Tarpon Springs East Lake for the district championship April 25.

Class 2A-9

The Sarasota Christian baseball team cruised to an 11-1 victory over the Manatee HEAT in the Class 2A-District 9 semifinals April 23.

The Blazers pounded out 11 hits in the game, which was shortened due to the 10-run mercy rule.

With the win, Sarasota Christian will host the winner of the other semifinal between Lakeside Christian and St. Petersburg Canterbury in the district championship April 25.