Sarasota Sidelines: 02.04.16

+Turner leads Cougars into regional final 

Cardinal Mooney junior striker Alex Turner scored with 10 minutes left in regulation to propel the host Cougars to a 1-0 victory versus LaBelle in the Class 2A-Region 3 semifinals Feb. 2. 

With the win, Cardinal Mooney will travel to Tampa Catholic, a 2-1 winner versus Tampa Prep, in a regional final match Feb. 5. The winner will advance to the state semifinals. Cardinal Mooney hasn’t reached the Final Four since 2003 when it finished as the state runner-up in Class 1A. 

+Sarasota Christian heads to final 

The Sarasota Christian boys basketball team beat Keswick Christian 64-34 in the Class 2A-District 9 semifinals Feb. 2 to earn a berth in next week’s regional tournament. 

Four players finished in double figures for the Blazers. Brandon Bontrager led Sarasota Christian with 17 points. Jordan Litwiller added 15 points. Kyle Lantz contributed 11 points and Daniel Sommers added 10 points. 

Sarasota Christian (18-7) will advance to the district championship Feb. 5. 

+Blazers walk-off with season opening win 

Cheyenne Miller hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Sarasota Christian softball team to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory versus Inspiration Academy in its season opener Feb. 2. 

Trailing 3-2, seventh-grader Jaena Shamp led off with a hit. Eighth-grader McKenzie Clark then hit a bunt. Miller then drove in Shamp and Clark for the victory. 

Miller also got the call on the mound, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six. Miller also went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. Clark and Shamp both went 2-for-3. Freshman Kay Holland hit her first-ever home run. 

Sarasota Christian returns to action Feb. 8 at Southeast. 

+Sunrise walks return to Siesta 

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources’ announced the return of its popular Sunrise Beach Walks along Siesta Beach and Nokomis Beach. 

The walks will be held every Wednesday through March 30. A one-time $5 registration fee includes an event T-shirt and punch card. Participants can check in before or after their minimum one-mile walk between 8-9:30 a.m. to have their cards punched. 

After completing four walks, participants will receive a drawstring sport pack filled with goodies to support an active lifestyle. Those who complete eight walks will earn additional incentives. 

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit scgov.net.