Sarasota hits stride in sixth inning against Braden River

After Friday night’s 7-4 victory over Braden River, the Sarasota baseball team improved its record to 3-1, with its only blemish on the season coming against Riverview in a 3-2 defeat.

Junior Nick Long got the start for the Sailors and went against Pirates starter Brock Younce.

Braden River (2-3) got on the board first after scoring a run in the top of the first inning. The Pirates added another run in the top of the fourth, and, heading into the fifth, Braden River was holding on to a 2-1 lead.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, Braden River was leading Sarasota 4-2.

But, thanks to a timely bunt and error, the Sailors got back into the game and ended the inning ahead 7-4.
“When you give a great team like Sarasota free bases it will come back to bite you,” Braden River coach Craig Page said.

Sarasota senior Cody Brickhouse closed out the game with an inning of shutout ball, striking out two batters.
Despite the scoreboard not being lit up with runs early in the game for the Sailors, coach Clyde Metcalf said he was happy with his team’s at-bats and its approach to the plate.

“We were squaring up, hitting hard and just couldn’t put anything together,” he said. “Finally, it seemed we were able to get hits to fall. Everything seemed to come together in that fifth inning.”

Losing nine seniors from last season, eight of whom went on to play collegiately, Metcalf said he’s happy with how Sarasota has started the season.

“I figured we may start a little slow, but these guys work hard and get better every time they go out. We’re starting to get things going,” he said.

As a team, Sarasota struck out nine batters and recorded eight hits.