Prep Report: Sluggers set to blast off
Over the past two years, Mariner senior Michael Zunino has emerged as one of the area’s top home run hitters. He blasted a school single-season record 10 round-trippers as a junior and is just one shy of tying that mark this season.
One of the more memorable home runs this season, though, came against the Tritons. Ida Baker freshman Justin Pinto belted a walk-off two-run shot to give the Bulldogs a 17-16 victory in a wild slugfest.
Both Zunino and Pinto will be swinging for the fences again Wednesday when they represent their teams in the home run derby at the Bud Roth Memorial Baseball Tournament.
The contest begins at 5 p.m. at Terry Park’s stadium field. Each of the eight teams competing in the tournament will be represented by one player in the home run derby.
That includes Bishop Verot’s Bobby Borchering, who launched his 10th home run Monday in the Vikings’ 17-2 win over North Fort Myers.
“I know Borchering has 10 now and a couple others have nine,” Zunino said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’ll see what happens.”
Zunino and Borchering both signed scholarships to attend the University of Florida prior to the start of their senior seasons. The two friends, who are teammates in summer ball, also expect to be drafted in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft.
Zunino said today’s home run derby should serve as extra batting practice for Mariner’s tournament game to follow against Bishop Verot.
Four games were on the slate Tuesday, but rain pushed back the games to 7 tonight, following the home run derby.
Ida Baker, which opened the tournament Monday with a 9-6 win over Eustis, takes on Cypress Lake while North Fort Myers faces Flagler Palm Coast and Eustis plays Pendleton Academy.
Tennis
District 3A-12: Cape High senior Renee Deane continued her stellar season Tuesday in the district tournament at FGCU. Deane won three matches in straight sets to improve her record to 17-0 and advance to Wednesday’s No. 1 singles final.
Deane picked up a pair of 6-0, 6-0 victories over Lehigh and Mariner opponent,s and in the semifinals delivered an all-around performance leading to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Barron Collier’s Leslie Raymond.
“It was awesome,” Seahawks coach Betty Henderson said. “(Renee) mixed it up and played smart. Everything was on.”
Deane’s play led a strong showing for the Seahawks on the first day of district play. Teammates Aimee Dolorfino (No. 3), Kaitlyn Dampier (No. 4) and Ella Baar (No. 5), all advanced to the semifinal round Wednesday.
Cape’s No. 1 doubles team of Deane and Dampier faces Ida Baker in today’s semifinals.
In the boys’ competition, the Seahawks’ Arthemon Lis at No. 2 and Dylon Dixon No. 5 advanced to the singles semifinals.