Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Lakewood Ranch High baseball coach Ryan Kennedy couldn’t hold back the tears. 

He knew exactly how second baseman Cameron Pearcey, a 2015 graduate of Lakewood Ranch, was feeling as he raced on the field in celebration following Coastal Carolina’s 4-3 victory against Arizona in the deciding game of the College World Series June 30. 

Kennedy had been there before. Twice. 

As a a junior at the University of Tampa in 2006, Kennedy, also a second baseman, helped his team overcome a 2-1 deficit with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game and eventually go on to win 3-2 in the 10th inning of the NCAA Division II National Championship against Chico State. 

A year later, Kennedy and his Spartans teammates would repeat as national champions. 

It’s a moment unlike any other, one Kennedy hoped his former player would be able to experience once Coastal Carolina punched its ticket into the best of three championship series. 

Watching the third and final game proved nothing short of nerve wracking for Kennedy, who wanted to see Pearcey hoist a national championship trophy. 

Pearcey was an intense competitor for the Mustangs from the moment he arrived on campus and spent every day on the diamond perfecting his craft. 

“Cameron was a team player and a big asset for our younger players,” Kennedy said. “He was a spark plug at the plate, a threat on the base paths and played solid defense at shortstop. It was fun watching him play.” 

In his freshman season, Pearcey and his Chanticleer teammates did what no other team in the school’s 62-year history had done before, win a national championship. 

Pearcey, who appeared in 30 games as a reserve this season, hit 167 with a homer, seven runs scored and five RBI. Coastal Carolina posted a 55-18 record. 

“Freshman year on fire,” Pearcey posted on Twitter following the Chanticleers winner-take-all victory. 

Pearcey’s season may be over, but Kennedy believes this is only the beginning. He’s looking forward to watching his success continue to unfold. 

“I’m so proud of him on his accomplishment and look forward to continuing to watch his career progress,” Kennedy said. 

***

Danny Erlenmeyer could barely hear himself think. 

The stands in the Century Link Center, in Omaha, Neb., the site of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, were packed and the noise was deafening. 

Erlenmeyer, a 2016 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High, simply tried to tune it all out and focus on the task at hand, the 1,500-meter freestyle. 

With his first race, the 400 freestyle, already under his belt, Erlenmeyer felt more confident in his ability to race against the nation’s best. 

Erlenmeyer, who finished the race in 16 minutes, 8.98 seconds July 2, was well short of reaching the Olympics in the event, but he gained valuable experience for the future. 

He has yet to race collegiately, and the Trials offered Erlenmeyer insight into what he will be up against next year and in the years to come should he try to make the U.S. Olympic Team again in 2020. 

“Trusting yourself is everything,” Erlenmeyer said. “The other swimmers in your heat could do anything, so swimming your own race is key.” 

***

The Lakewood Ranch Little League 11-and 12-year-old All-Star team’s path to the District 26 title was anything but easy. 

After falling to Braden River 5-4 in the winner’s bracket final June 29, Lakewood Ranch blanked Manatee American 12-0 to advance to the championship game, setting up a rematch with Braden River. 

Lakewood Ranch slugged its way to a 21-10 victory July 2 to extend the championship game series another day. 

In the winner-take-all game, Lakewood Ranch held off Braden River 12-8 to capture the Majors division district crown. 

As the district champion, Lakewood Ranch will advance to the four-team Section 4 tournament July 15-16, in Land O’Lakes.