Sidelines: Buswell claims third district title, has eyes on regional title

Also in the Observer: Bucs fall to Atlantic on opening day.


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  • | 11:41 a.m. February 20, 2018
Seabreeze wrestler Braden Buswell wins the district title. Photo courtesy of Steve Buswell
Seabreeze wrestler Braden Buswell wins the district title. Photo courtesy of Steve Buswell
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After finishing first in both the Flagler Rotary Tournament and the Five Star Conference Tournament, Seabreeze senior wrestler Braden Buswell won his third district title in the Class 2A-District 6 in the 220-pound weight class.

With an overall record of 31-1, Buswell is looking forward to competing in the regional tournament in Brandon. Last season, Buswell finished in third place finish at the regional tournament and in fifth place finish at the state competition.

Bucs fall to Atlantic on opening day

Mainland’s baseball team was in firm control during the first few innings against the Atlantic Sharks. In the first 2 1/2 innings, the Sharks got on base once on a walk. Starting pitcher Jackson Johnson didn’t give up a hit to the Sharks until halfway through the third inning, and the although the Buccaneers’ defense gave up one run in the inning do to an infield error, Mainland still led by two.

However, a pitching change by the Sharks sparked a complete change in momentum in Atlantic’s come-from-behind win over Mainland on opening day.

Buccaneers right fielder K.J. Brathwaite pops a ball up against Atlantic. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers right fielder K.J. Brathwaite pops a ball up against Atlantic. Photo by Ray Boone

Mainland lost 6-5 on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 19, at Atlantic High School.

The third inning was the most productive for the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers recorded three singles in a row before a 2 RBI double by Dominic Del Rossi gave the Buccaneers its largest lead at 3-0. First baseman Alex Reynolds tacked on an RBI double in the fourth.

However, Johnson, who pitched all seven inning for Mainland, struggled from there. Johnson gave up three hits in the bottom of the fourth and four hits in the sixth, letting the Sharks take the lead for good.

Mainland coach Jay Michael Burton attributed the loss to “opening-game jitters” and the fact that the Buccaneers graduated 12 players last season.

“We weren’t making routine plays,” Burton said. “Our issue isn’t in our ability, though. It’s our maturity.”

 

 

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