Bulldogs turn back Wildcats 6-3
Before Ida Baker senior Dustin Mishka had a chance to deliver a big hit, a wild pitch allowed Blake Fraser to score the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over Estero.
Still, Bulldogs’ coach Chad Turner had a feeling something big was coming from Mishka, one of the team’s best hitters.
Even with a 3-0 count, Mishka got the green light from Turner, who was coaching third base, and hammered a two-run shot to left-center, capping off the Bulldogs’ three-run sixth inning.
“I was looking down at my coach, and as soon as I saw three balls I shook my head and was like don’t give me the take sign,” Mishka said.
“He had a nice at-bat the at-bat before,” Turner said. “I was like, hey, I got a feeling about this.”
It is the third home run of the season for Mishka, who also had a double in the fourth as part of a 15-hit effort by the Bulldogs.
Matt Mattia started on the mound for the Bulldogs and held Estero to two runs in his four innings of work. Richard Saracione pitched two strong relief innings and Gabby Lopez closed out the win by retiring the Wildcats in order in the seventh.
“This was a great team effort,” Mishka said. “All night the intensity was there.”
The Bulldogs (8-8) were coming off a pair of tough games with district opponents. They defeated Barron Collier 3-0 last Thursday and fell to Fort Myers 3-1 Tuesday.
They fell behind Estero (11-6), a nondistrict opponent, in the first inning Thursday night.
Kip Steingart singled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Tyler Bighames hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Steingart, putting the Wildcats ahead 1-0.
The Bulldogs countered with two runs in the bottom half of the first. Cody Coffman led off with a single and scored on Miles Rubinski’s RBI single. The Bulldogs scored their second run when Ryan Rogowski hit a ball sharply to third, resulting in an error by the Wildcats.
Both teams had costly errors, which resulted in runs. The Bulldogs led 3-2 in the top of the fifth and were in position to get out of the inning, but with two outs a throwing error allowed Bighames to score, tying it 3-3.
The Bulldogs regained control in the sixth. Fraser led off with a single and two batters later, Alex Lakes lined a single to left to keep the pressure on Estero’s Nick Steingart.
The Bulldogs went ahead 4-3 on the wild pitch that scored Fraser and Mishka’s home run pushed it to 6-3.
Shaun Delozier and Matt Ringland each added doubles for the Bulldogs.
“This was a big win for us,” Turner said. “I was real happy with the way we swung the bats, and our pitchers did a solid job. We had a couple mistakes in the field, but overall it was well played.”
The Bulldogs turnaround quickly and play at North Fort Myers Friday.
Estero 110 010 0 — 3 4 2
Ida Baker 201 003 x — 6 15 3
W — Richard Saracione L — Nick Steingart
2B — Dustin Mishka (IB), Matt Ringland (IB), Shaun Delozier (IB). HR — Mishka (IB)
Bishop Verot 5, Palmetto Ridge 3: Anthony Vlahovic’s two-run triple keyed a four-run third inning, leading the host Vikings past Palmetto Ridge.
Bobby Borchering also contributed with an RBI double in the third.
Drew Reeves worked four innings. He allowed two runs and struck out three. Chris Santospirito pitched the final three innings for the Vikings.
The Vikings (5-9) are participating in the Sarasota Classic beginning Monday. Their first game is against Miami Palmetto.
Palmetto Ridge 101 001 0 — 3 5 1
Bishop Verot 004 100 x — 5 6 3
W — Drew Reeves L — Jurek
2B — Bobby Borchering (BV), Pete Magrino (BV). 3B — Anthony Vlahovic (BV)
Boys Basketball
Bishop Verot senior Ed Murray won the Slam Dunk Championship at the Senior Showcase All-Star event last Saturday in Orlando.
Murray outscored nine other seniors with his six dunks. The contest was judged by five individuals, including former NBA Slam Dunk Champion Dee Brown.
Murray, who will continue his basketball playing career at FGCU, also participated in the All-Star game. His West squad prevailed 105-103 in overtime.