Sickles jumps out early

Hillsborough 11 Sickles 1

By JUSTIN DARHAHI
Published March 22, 2007

BRANDON - Sickles jumped out early before Hillsborough jumped all over the Gryphons.

The Terriers (11-3) won in five innings to advance to a semifinal against Newsome.

Sickles (8-5) scored in the top of the first after Tito Martinez doubled and eventually scored on a fielder's choice by Kenny Wilson.

The Terriers took command with an eight-run second inning that eventually knocked out Gryphon starter Josh Dunn.

Senior Mario Mitchell and sophomore Jay Laurienzo had back-to-back walks. Marlon Mitchell followed with an infield single to load the bases for leftfielder David Richardson, who hit a two-run double.

The other big hit of the inning was a two-run single by catcher Casey Nunez.

"Once we got a big lead, we thought if we could get out of here in five it would be really beneficial to us," Terrier coach Kenneth White said.

Hillsborough ace Matt Schurig went just four innings so he would be available to pitch again in the tournament if needed. He allowed two hits and struck out four.

Keith Diaz got the last three outs in the fifth to end it.

"Now all of our pitchers are rested and ready to go for the rest of the tournament," White said.

Justin Dargahi, Times correspondent

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 23:29:03]