Prep Report: Wave wipes out Tritons 14-0
The Mariner Tritons have fared well against some of the top contenders for this year’s District 5A-15 title, posting wins over top-seed North Fort Myers and Ida Baker.
If the Tritons plan to make a run when the tournament begins April 20, they may want to steer clear of the host Fort Myers Green Wave.
After being no-hit by Fort Myers senior Lindsey Richardson in the first meeting, the Tritons suffered a more humbling 14-0 loss in five innings Tuesday afternoon.
Richardson, again, held the Tritons (11-7) in check, but this time was backed by a more methodical offensive attack. The Wave (14-6) sprayed 16 hits and took advantage of wild pitching by the Tritons.
“This was pretty sad,” Mariner coach Bill Stoudt said. “We have to get things turned around before (the start of the district tournament).”
Sophomore MacKenzie Hunt started on the mound for the Tritons, but struggled with control, giving up four walks in the top of the first inning. Sydney Sheehan, Daniella Patino and Theresa Samstag all scored on wild pitches, staking the Wave to a 3-0 lead.
Problems continued in the second inning when the Wave brought 12 batters to the plate and scored eight runs, stretching the lead to 11-0.
Though the walks helped get runners on, the Wave also came up with key hits. Sheehan, the leadoff hitter, sparked the attack, going 4-for-5, and Samstag and Lindsey Caserio came through with two-run singles.
It was an encouraging sign offensively for the Wave, who relied more heavily on their defense and pitching earlier in the year.
“We knew it was a long season,” Fort Myers coach John Schwochow said. “We worked on our defense a lot more at the beginning of the season, but now we’re doing a nice job putting the ball in play. It’s the right time of the year.”
The Wave and Tritons played more of a pitcher’s duel in their previous meeting March 24. Richardson led the Wave to a 3-0 win, while the Tritons got a strong start from sophomore Carrie Grigiski.
The Tritons fell behind by an insurmountable deficit Tuesday, considering the slim margin for error to begin with when facing the Fort Myers ace. Richardson has shut out the Tritons over all 12 innings.
Mariner junior Nikki Roderiques nearly ended that streak in the fifth when she drove the ball off the left field fence for a triple. Roderiques finished 2-for-2 and reached base three times, including once on a Fort Myers error.
Roderiques has made good contact in both meetings.
“(Lindsey) is an amazing pitcher, amazing speed and good movement,” Roderiques said. “I’ve tried to watch her hips and just time it up.”
Grigiski and Hunt each added singles for the Tritons, who might face the Wave again.
The Tritons are the No. 3 seed in the district tournament and face No. 6 Ida Baker in the opening round. The advancing team will play the winner between No. 2 Fort Myers vs. No. 7 Cape Coral.
Before then, the Tritons host South Fort Myers in an LCAC crossover game next Thursday. The Wave play Estero in the LCAC crossover Wednesday.
Fort Myers 380 30 – 14 16 1
Mariner 000 00 – 0 4 3
W – Richardson. L – MacKenzie Hunt.
3B – Nikki Roderiques (M).
Bishop Verot 5, Cardinal Mooney 4: Sophomore Emma Clinger delivered a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring Courtney Stawicki, and the host Vikings defeated Cardinal Mooney for the second time this season.
On senior night, two Vikings seniors, Hailey Baracco and Lori Neal, each had two hits, including a double by Baracco. She pitched seven innings, improving her record to 12-5.
The Vikings (15-6, 4-0) clinched the No. 1 seed for the District 3A-12 tournament.
Baseball
LaBelle 7, Bishop Verot 2: D.J. Champan mowed down 17 batters on strikes to carry LaBelle to victory over Bishop Verot.
The Vikings managed just five base hits, two by Dan Vogelbach and two by Bobby Borchering, who also was the losing pitcher.
The Vikings (6-12) visit St. John Neumann at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
LaBelle 022 001 2 – 7 11 4
Bishop Verot 100 000 1 – 2 5 4
W – D.J. Chapman. L – Bobby Borchering.
2B – Bobby Borchering (BV). 3B – Tommy Dougherty (BV). HR – Kenny White (L).
Girls Tennis
Bishop Verot 5, Canterbury 2: Bishop Verot closed out the regular season portion of its schedule with a decisive victory over Canterbury.
The Vikings (8-1) use the next eight days of the spring break to prepare for the District 2A-11 Tournament April 16 at FGCU.
Singles – Hailey Grillo (C) def. Linda Kornienko 7-5, 6-2; Mariel Rickert (BV) def. Courtney Bagans 6-1, 6-1; Nia-Marie Eddy *BV) def. Solange Ganthier 6-1, 6-1; Kayla Cheslosky (BV) def. Jan Jan Hamilton 6-2, 6-2; Kathleen Norris (BV) def. Alexandra Badrat 6-4, 6-4.
Doubles – Kornienko-Rickert (BV) def. Grillo-Bagans 8-2; Ganthier-Hamilton (C) def. Eddy-Cheslosky 8-5.