Braden River Softball Team Ranked 15th In Country

The Braden River softball team has gained national prominence rising to 15 in the most recent MaxPreps National Rankings and fifth in the state.

There is quite a battle going on locally. Despite their lofty status, the Pirates (20-2) are behind Sarasota High (22-2), which is fourth in the state and 13^th nationally.

MaxPreps has Lakewood Ranch (18-4) ranked 12^th in the state and 78^th nationally. Engelwood Lemon Bay, which is undefeated in 19 games, is seventh in the state and 26^th in the country.

What separates Braden River and Sarasota is a 1-0 loss to the Sailors in the second game of the season. Still, the Pirates (other loss 2-0 to Bartow) have one of the best 1-2 pitching punches in the state with sophomores Courtney Mirabella and Hannah Loyer. Mirabella has more than 200 strikeouts and has a perfect game to her credit this season.

Lakewood Ranch also has a tough pitching combo in veteran senior Brittany Kilduff and junior Hunter Elling. The Manatee-Sarasota County area is loaded with great young arms. Sarasota features Sam Messer and Lemon Bay has Brooke Carver.

Manatee focusing on ball security

Does Manatee need to practice a little extra ball security this week?

In their 5A-10 district opener this Friday, the Canes are heavy favorites to defeat Sarasota, which is being guided by first year coach Ed Volz.

Volz, who was the head coach at Braden River in 2009, has shown he knows how to create turnovers. Last season under his tutelage, the Pirates led the area with 17 fumble recoveries and won a couple of games because of their ability to force fumbles.

Volz has Sarasota leading the area in take-aways with a very impressive 18 in four games. The Sailors top Manatee/Sarasota County with 11 interceptions and are tied for second with seven fumble recoveries,behind Englewood Lemon Bay.