Sidelines

KUDOS
+ Lakewood Ranch High Baseball
The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team opened its season Feb. 11 with a 5-3 victory against Venice, who is ranked No. 4 in the nation, according to MaxPreps.

The Mustangs scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning, before Venice scored on three errors in the top of the third inning.

Justin Greenaway’s diving catch in the top of the seventh inning preserved the win for Lakewood.
Scout Stout earned the win for the Mustangs, allowing no earned runs and striking out five in four innings of work.

Joey Ambrosino came on in relief to earn a pair of strikeouts.

Cameron Pearcey, Jack Dunn and Matt Roberts each had two hits.

“We needed to see where we stand against a state champion caliber ball club,” Lakewood coach Ryan Kennedy says. “With this win, it gives our guys the confidence needed to get ready for district play.”
Lakewood followed up its win with a 9-0 victory against ODA Feb. 13.

Colton Chupp struck out nine in five innings for the win. Pearcey, Garett Schultz and Brenden Lewellen each had two hits.

+ ODA swings past Braden River
The Out-of-Door Academy girls tennis team defeated Braden River 6-0 Feb. 11.

With the win, the Lady Thunder improved to 2-0 while the Lady Pirates fell to 1-2.

Mary Ann Rompf, Maria Ross, Sydney Sforzo, Morgan Woods and Megan Jones all earned singles victories for ODA. Ross and Savannah Jones teamed up for a victory in No. 2 doubles.

On the boys side, ODA defeated Braden River 7-1.

Daniel Pivonka, Ethan Eckhart, Marcus Buffett, Vaughn Garcia and Jose Juncose all earned singles victories for ODA.

Braden River’s Stan Greslo and Race Arande were victorious at No. 1 doubles, while ODA won at No. 2 doubles.

+ Ellenton skaters win silver medal
U.S. figure skating team members Tara Kayne and Daniel O’Shea, who train at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, finished second at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships last month in Taipei City, China.

The pair scored 119.4 points and finished with an overall total of 181.45 to earn the silver medal in their debut at an International Skating Union Championship.

Kayne and O’Shea finished sixth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships last month and medaled in three Senior B competitions in the fall.

+ Concession to hold celebrity golf classic
The fourth annual Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic will be held March 3 and March 4 at The Concession Golf Club.

Joining Griffin at this year’s event will be football greats Robert Smith, Eddie George, Derrick Brooks, Keith Byars and Henry Lawrence, among others.

In addition to meeting Griffin and other celebrities at the golf classic March 4, participants can join them at the Pairings Party, silent auction, dinner and live auction March 3.

Proceeds from the event support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. To date, the event has raised $174, 500 for Concession Charities.

For more information on the event, including sponsorship opportunities and an updated list of attending celebrities, visit concessioncharities.org or contact event coordinator Melissa Wenzel at 907-0018.

GAME TO WATCH
Baseball
Feb. 21
Braden River at Lakewood Ranch (7 p.m.)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Reanna Gregory
Track and Field
The Out-of-Door Academy

3 - The number of years, including this season, that Gregory has been on the ODA track team.

1 - The place Gregory finished in the high jump before the meet was canceled Feb. 12 due to rain.

14 feet, 9 inches - The length Gregory posted to set a new Out-of-Door Academy school record in the long jump Feb. 12 in a dual meet at Saint Stephen’s.