Sidelines

+ Lindsay hits home run for fund
The Out-of-Door Academy first baseman Desmond Lindsay presented a check for $16,500 to Mike and Katie Emmons Feb. 13 at the Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field, prior to the start of the Thunder’s season opener versus Lakewood Ranch.

Lindsay worked with Home Runs That Help, a community outreach initiative of the POWER SHOWCASE All-World/All-American Baseball Classic, to raise money for the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund.
Members of the ODA family and the community supported Lindsay in the 2014 POWER SHOWCASE Home Run Derby.

Lindsay also was awarded the 2014 Home Runs That Help Humanitarian Award for raising the most money in the eight-year history of the Power Showcase.

+ Pirates notch district win
The Braden River High baseball team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 4-1 in Class 7A-District 10 action Feb. 21.

Eric Kimsey earned the win for the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits while striking out nine. Derek Cozzette went 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored to lead the way for Braden River at the plate. Brian Dillingham went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

+ Flames qualify for state championships
The Gulf Coast Flames PW-AA hockey team recently qualified for the 2013-14 SAHOF State Championship.

State championship tournament games will be held Feb. 28 at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. The winner will advance to the Southeast Championship in Maryland.

Players include: Drew Swartzendruber, Brock Capua, Katie Campoli, Cam Grajewski, Sasha Pastujov, Morgan Winters, Makena Winch, Jackson Bennett, Brendan Fitzgerald, Andrew Golden, Joshua Heldwein, Mate Imre, Hayden Simon and Shaun Hatton.

For more information, visit sahofhockey.org.

+ Lady Thunder swing past Lady Indians
The Out-of-Door Academy girls tennis team defeated Venice 4-2 Feb. 19.

Maria Ross, Mary Ann Rompf, Sydney Sforzo and Charlotte Dixon all earned singles victories.

GAME TO WATCH
Softball
March 4
Lakewood Ranch at Sarasota (7 p.m.)

STANDOUT PLAYER
Eric Kimsey
Pitcher, Baseball
Braden River High

7 - The number of innings Kimsey pitched to lead the Braden River High baseball team to a 4-1 victory against district rival Lakewood Ranch Feb. 21.

9 - The number of strikeouts Kimsey tallied against the Mustangs.

2 - The number of wins Kimsey has on the mound so far this season for the Pirates.