Englewood Sun Sports

In 1986, when the Cincinnati Reds visited Charlotte County to consider the possibility of moving their spring training from Plant City, team president Bob Howsam visited the empty plot of land that currently holds Charlotte Sports Park with general manager … Find out how to read more online.

Hosts finish with win
Sun Mar 9 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — North Port High School found all kinds of ways to score in a 12-3 victory over Port Charlotte on Saturday in the Bobcat Invitational. The Bobcats only collected six hits, but took advantage of Pirate errors and … Find out how to read more online.

Rays’ ERA takes a big hit
Sun Mar 9 2014 08:00AM

PORT CHARLOTTE—When the Tampa Bay Rays entered Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, their 2.25 spring training ERA was the best mark in the majors. By the time the game was over, that number had risen to 2.96. The Rays’ … Find out how to read more online.

Peralta OK after injury
Sun Mar 9 2014 08:00AM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Tampa Bay Rays reliever Joel Peralta left Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after feeling something in his neck when he reacted to a comeback line drive. After the game, Peralta said he didn’t think the injury is serious, … Find out how to read more online.

Newcomer Sands looks to regain form
Sun Mar 9 2014 09:07PM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Jerry Sands didn’t play in the Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League this offseason because he wanted to try some new things at the plate or tinker with his mechanics. He played because he wanted to get his confidence back. … Find out how to read more online.

Northeastern’s Carmain stifles Presbyterian
Sun Mar 9 2014 08:00AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Northeastern pitcher Chris Carmain had another strong outing at the Snowbird Baseball Classic on Saturday, allowing just two earned runs in seven innings, but Presbyterian scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to … Find out how to read more online.

Bucs fans need you now, Mr. Blackwell
Sun Mar 9 2014 03:17PM

This column should be read while listening to “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top (running time: 4 minutes, 14 seconds). • Where was Mr. Blackwell when you need him? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers unveiled new uniforms this week with a … Find out how to read more online.

Eagles turn up for A-Sun title rematch
Sun Mar 9 2014 08:00AM

FORT MYERS — Minutes after Florida Gulf Coast’s win against East Tennessee State in the Atlantic Sun semifinals on Thursday at Alico Arena, the walls outside the team’s locker room started to shake as music blared from the inside. It … Find out how to read more online.

Shaffer soaks in spring ball
Sat Mar 8 2014 07:39PM

DUNEDIN — Playing in the various stadiums of the Florida State League hasn’t become tiresome for Richie Shaffer. But things are different now for the 2013 Charlotte Stone Crab. The games haven’t been as part of the Class-A Tampa Bay … Find out how to read more online.

Bobcats yank welcome mat
Sat Mar 8 2014 07:39PM

NORTH PORT — North Port High School wasted no time setting the tone for its weekend invitational Friday afternoon, beating Community School of Naples 13-1 via mercy rule in the opener. The Bobcats started small, using a variety of bunts … Find out how to read more online.

Mantas get past Bulldogs
Sat Mar 8 2014 07:39PM

ARCADIA — Lemon Bay High School had just three hits in its District 5A-11 game Friday against DeSoto County. But thanks to some breaks and great pitching from Ashton Werden, the Manta Rays put together a 3-1 victory. Lemon Bay … Find out how to read more online.

Bobcats, Rodney take home the hardware
Sat Mar 8 2014 08:00AM

FORT MYERS — After Charlotte High School sprinter Devin Quinn collected his trophy for the Edison Relays’ most outstanding performer, Tarpons co-coach Chris George took out the trophies Quinn had already earned with his victories in the 100- and 200-meter … Find out how to read more online.

North Port battles to beat Palmetto
Sat Mar 8 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — North Port High School senior Chris Guilbault and Palmetto junior Tyler Bench locked horns in a pitcher’s duel Friday night as the Bobcats edged the Tigers 3-2 in a District 7A-10 game. Both pitchers went the distance … Find out how to read more online.

Bigness boosts Mantas in win
Sat Mar 8 2014 08:00AM

ARCADIA — Alec Bigness came through with a big pitching effort and Lemon Bay High School beat DeSoto County 6-0 on Friday night. Bigness allowed three hits, none after the third inning, struck out three and walked three in going … Find out how to read more online.

SWFL offers teams refuge
Sat Mar 8 2014 07:39PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — For several college baseball teams, the Snowbird Baseball Classic isn’t just a tournament, it’s also spring vacation. Almost all of this year’s teams hail from the northern part of the country, using the tournament as a way … Find out how to read more online.

Western Michigan caps stay with a walk-off win
Sun Mar 9 2014 05:31PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Western Michigan (5-7) beat Northeastern 2-1 on a walk-off hit by freshman Grant Miller in the 10th inning on Friday afternoon at North Charlotte Regional Park. Northeastern outhit Western Michigan, but ended up on the losing side … Find out how to read more online.

Cobb keeps grip on Jays
Sun Mar 9 2014 07:25PM

DUNEDIN — Alex Cobb’s day may have started with a hiccup, but it ended by silencing Toronto’s lineup. The right-hander surrendered two hits in the first inning of Friday’s spring training game for Tampa Bay, but was nearly perfect thereafter. … Find out how to read more online.

Johnson, Aurora win team indoor title
Sun Mar 9 2014 03:19PM

Loretta Johnson helped the Aurora University women’s track team win the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference indoor championship. The junior out of Venice High School was a part of the 4-by-400-meter relay that finished first, one of 11 events the Spartans … Find out how to read more online.

Duncan leads way as Spurs easily beat Heat
Fri Mar 7 2014 08:19PM

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed against the Miami Heat, weathering a sluggish third quarter for an intense and emotional 111-87 victory Thursday. Tony Parker scored 17 points, … Find out how to read more online.

Eagles edge ETSU
Fri Mar 7 2014 05:06PM

FORT MYERS — Florida Gulf Coast showed it can win big games in multiple ways on Thursday night. After showing off their speed and flash in Tuesday’s win against Stetson, the Eagles grinded out a 69-64 win against East Tennessee … Find out how to read more online.

Crabs release giveaway schedule
Fri Mar 7 2014 04:51PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — From schedule magnets given out for the home opener, through two hat days and finally the traditional team photo, the Charlotte Stone Crabs released their giveaway and promotions schedule on Thursday. The schedule includes eight fireworks shows … Find out how to read more online.

Price evades weather
Fri Mar 7 2014 05:06PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — The forecast wasn’t brilliant for the Tampa Bay nine Thursday, so David Price stayed back to get work in another way. Price was originally scheduled to start in Sarasota against the Orioles, but Weather.com’s warning of “locally … Find out how to read more online.

Youth baseball season starts in Englewood
Fri Mar 7 2014 08:00AM

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Jennings pulls his weight
Thu Mar 6 2014 07:36PM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Desmond Jennings put on some weight this offseason. The main reason for that was to anticipate his normal spring training weight loss and stay at his desired playing weight. The other reason was that he wanted to drive the … Find out how to read more online.

Ramos settles in
Thu Mar 6 2014 06:41PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Relievers usually don’t throw bullpen sessions during spring training because they generally pitch every three days. So when the Tampa Bay Rays told Cesar Ramos that he was scheduled to throw a bullpen between his first and … Find out how to read more online.

Eagles enjoy Alico advantage
Thu Mar 6 2014 06:41PM

FORT MYERS — Florida Gulf Coast will continue to reap the benefits of home-court advantage today, hosting an Atlantic Sun tournament semifinal game against an East Tennessee State team that’s had a busy couple of days. While FGCU coasted to … Find out how to read more online.

Rams rout Pirates
Thu Mar 6 2014 06:41PM

SARASOTA — Port Charlotte High School coach Bryan Beisner had hoped Tuesday night’s near-miss against state champion Venice might provide a spark for the next few games. The spark was there, just not in the way Beisner and the Pirates … Find out how to read more online.

Old foe gets best of Mantas
Thu Mar 6 2014 06:41PM

NAPLES — For years, Naples High School was Lemon Bay’s nemesis. Every time the Manta Rays had their sights on states, it was the Golden Eagles who denied them. Even though they are now in different classes, 3A Naples couldn’t … Find out how to read more online.

Thu Mar 6 2014 08:00AM

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FGCU cruises into A-Sun semis
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:12PM

FORT MYERS — Florida Gulf Coast started the postseason the same way they started the last one, with a decisive win in the Atlantic Sun tournament quarterfinals. Playing in front of an Alico Arena record crowd of 4,675 — even … Find out how to read more online.

Archer unveils changeup in spring debut
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:12PM

FORT MYERS—The Tampa Bay Rays would rather have Chris Archer try and fail then not try at all. That’s what they told him, so that’s exactly what the 25-year-old right-hander did in the Rays’ 8-0 win over the Boston Red … Find out how to read more online.

Patience and pitching
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:12PM

PUNTA GORDA — Joey Howes’ first two at-bats were doubles that threatened to separate the baseball from its cover. But for his most important contribution, he didn’t even need to lift the bat off his shoulders. Howes drew a bases-loaded … Find out how to read more online.

Venice rallies past Port Charlotte
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:12PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — For the first four innings, Venice High School let starting pitcher Kade Hunkapillar do the talking. After that, the bats chimed in as the Indians overcame an upset bid to rally past Port Charlotte 7-3 on Tuesday … Find out how to read more online.

Indians batter Pirates with 11-run inning
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:12PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Venice High School took advantage of some timely hitting and several Port Charlotte mistakes to cruise past the Pirates 16-0, in a District 6A-11 game Tuesday night. Venice sent 11 batters to the plate in the second … Find out how to read more online.

Botts plays big role for Pirates
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:00AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — D.J. Botts is improving his tennis IQ and growing into his game. And the Port Charlotte High School senior is a big part of the team’s resurgence this season. Botts is 5-2 at No. 1 singles, and … Find out how to read more online.

Tarpons tout progress in loss
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:00AM

PUNTA GORDA — With a roster that includes five freshmen and one senior, Charlotte High School knows probably better than most teams how much difference one game makes. And though the Tarpons lost 3-2 to Fort Myers on Tuesday night, … Find out how to read more online.

Glavine poised to lead Huskies
Mon Mar 3 2014 06:36PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — This is Neil McPhee’s final season as coach of Northeastern, and its also, sort of, the first for Mike Glavine. Glavine — the brother of soon-to-be-hall-of-fame pitcher Tom Glavine — is in line to take over the … Find out how to read more online.

Mining for depth
Mon Mar 3 2014 06:36PM

PORT CHARLOTTE—The Tampa Bay Rays are only going to break camp with 25 players, but manager Joe Maddon wants to get a good look at everyone on the 40-man roster. Maddon told everyone on the first day that no matter … Find out how to read more online.

Homer feels good to Longoria
Mon Mar 3 2014 08:00AM

PORT CHARLOTTE—Spring training home runs don’t necessarily mean anything, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel good to hit one. Third baseman Evan Longoria launched his first home run of the spring in the Tampa Bay Rays’ 6-3 win over … Find out how to read more online.

Gymnast flourishes in college routine
Mon Mar 3 2014 08:00AM

Caitlin Elsadek has been inspired this gymnastics season. Joining a nationally ranked college team will do that. The Venice High School graduate is a freshman for SUNY-Brockport women’s gymnastics team. The squad was third among Division III programs in the … Find out how to read more online.

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