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Merrell Lifts Sickles To 12-4 Win

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 4, 2009

BRANDON - Tripp Merrell got Sickles got off to a good start to the 29th annual Saladino Tournament, and he's hoping it will serve as a jumpstart for his team.

The junior right-hander turned in six quality innings, and he was equally as impressive at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs to power the Gryphons to a 12-4 victory against Robinson on Saturday at Brandon.

"We've been practicing really hard and just looking for a turning point in our season," Merrell said. "Hopefully this was it."

Chris Velez also had a good day for Sickles, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases.

Josh Smith had a two-run single and Daniel Tyner and Nathan Simon each added run-scoring base hits for the Knights.

ALONSO 12, EAST BAY 2: Sophomore righty Jose Fernandez scattered four hits while striking out six in a complete game, and he went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs to power the Ravens.

"We're happy with his performance," Alonso coach Landy Faedo said. "We wanted five innings out of him, and he gave it to us. ... And he did good with the bat. He's got some good pop, so it's not a surprise."

Adam Pendleton had two hits and an RBI, and Tyler Ding added a three-run triple for Alonso.

Chris Norton hit a solo homer in third, and Zach Turner doubled and scored in fourth for the Indians.

Alonso senior right-hander Ray Delphey will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during the Ravens' win Thursday against Sickles, Faedo said.

FREEDOM 8, TAMPA BAY TECH 1: Junior left-hander Charlie Baumgartner scattered seven hits and struck out five in a complete game, and the Patriots offense pounded out 14 hits. Jay Carroll went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Parker Pope went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead Freedom.

Anthony Hernandez had two hits for Tampa Bay Tech, and C.J. Jackson produced the Titans' lone run with an RBI single in the sixth.

BRANDON 17, BLAKE 1: Spencer Dewey went 5-for-5 with five runs scored and two RBIs, and Michael Smith went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs to power the Eagles.

Dewey's five hits tied a tournament single-game record, and his five runs scored set a tourney mark.

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