SIDELINES

+ PEMCO Pirates win championship
The PEMCO Pirates posted a 14-0 record to win the Spring 2013 Miss Manatee Softball 8U division title.
After earning a first-round bye, the Pirates fell to Gator Air 11-5 for their first loss of the season. With the loss, the Pirates landed in the double-elimination losers’ bracket.

A series of rain delays prompted the girls to play five games in two-and-a-half days. The Pirates defeated KWOC (6-4), Square 1 Burgers (16-4) and Gator Air (14-5) to advance to the championship game.

In the championship game, PEMCO defeated Vogel Construction 12-6, forcing a second game to determine the tournament champion. The Pirates edged past Vogel Construction 7-6 to win the 8U tournament title.

Championship players include: Allie Thompsen, Emma Thompsen, Hailey Hirter, Hannah Ott, Kimberly Koelsch, Morgan McCabe, Mya Blue, Riley O’Neill, Samantha Rees, Sofia Tracy and Zoe Lipton.

+ Braden River searches for new baseball coach
Braden River High is looking for a new baseball coach, after former coach Mike Verrill, who replaced Ryan Hilton two years ago, resigned following the Pirates’ 12-17 season.

The application process closed May 17. Braden River Athletic Director Bob Bowling said the school received about 20 applications. Bowling turned applications over to Braden River’s administrative team, which will be responsible for handling the process of interviewing and hiring a new coach, because Bowling’s son, Matt, is one of the applicants.

+ Pirates to retire No. 3
During the Athletic Boosters Banquet May 21, the Braden River High athletic department announced it would be retiring senior pitcher Courtney Mirabella’s jersey.

Mirabella, who led the state in strikeouts with 288, became the first player in school history to have his or her jersey retired. Braden River will present Mirabella with her jersey during the Pirates’ first home football game Aug. 30.