Countryside Downs North Port in Slugfest

The scoring never seemed to stop.

North Port pushed two runs across in the first inning on starting pitcher, junior .

The Cougars came right back with two runs in the bottom of the second inning to tie it up. 

Then, the Bobcats got two more runs in the top of the third.

But the Cougars answered with five of their own. By the time three inning were in the books it was Cougars 7, Bobcats 4.

And it was Countryside that laid the final blow, winning the slugfest with North Port 16-11 Tuesday in the 6A District 7 tournament. They play Riverview tonight.

Ballantoni fanned six for the win and struck out seven and got the save. Ballantoni also went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI.

And while the pitchers threw strikes, enough batters were putting the ball in play.

Countryside had a huge fourth inning where they sent seven runs across the plate. Senior Brad Dunham hit a bases clearing double that opened up the game. Making it 14-5 after 4 innings. 

Dunham finished 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a double. Junior Eric Russel knocked in two runs as well.

North Port would not go away, however, and came back 14-10. 

The Cougars would plate two more runs and the Bobcats were only able to score once more as closed out the game.

On deck:

What: The Cougars play Riverview

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday (April 27)

Where: 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, 34231