The Rays Reporter

Baseball: A Mid-Week Thriller

Our Varsity Boys are officially the hottest team in the area. After that gritty 1-0 win over Port Charlotte, they kept the energy high for Sponsor Night this past Wednesday (March 11).

The Result: The Rays took down IMG Academy Teal with a commanding 9-3 victory. The young guys were the spotlight tonight. Freshman catcher Connor McCloud went 1-1 with 2 runs scored and stopped a would-be base stealer. Freshman Ryan White went 1-1 with 2 runs scored and landed a big bunt for a base hit. Sophomore, Fallon Shaw, came in relief and added 1 IP with 2 big strikeouts.

The Takeaway: That win moves the Rays to a 5-5 record, having won four straight. The defense is locked in, and the bats are finally starting to find the gaps.

Next Up: A Monday matchup at 1:00 PM against Forest Hill. The Mantas are talking part in the Pirate Spring Break tournament.

Beach Volleyball: Sand & Sun

The Lady Mantas have found their rhythm on the sand after a tough start to the season. The chemistry between the pairs is clearly peaking at the right time.

The Big Win: On Tuesday, March 10, the Rays dominated Manatee High School with a convincing 4-1 victory. Every pair fought for every point, showing incredible communication under the sun. Then on Thursday, the Lady Mantas SWEPT the sand and Dunbar. Dominating with a 5-0 victory!

The Momentum: This win followed a gritty 3-2 victory over Southwest Florida Christian earlier in the month. The girls are proving they can handle the pressure when the match comes down to the final court.

Next Up: The team is back at the San Casa Courts for more home action later this month. If you haven’t caught a match yet, the atmosphere at the sand courts is unbeatable.

Softball: Senior Night Success

The Lady Mantas are on a serious tear. After crushing Riverview Sarasota 10-2 earlier in the week, they returned home for an emotional Senior Night against Port Charlotte. Amelia Mejias lead the way for the Mantas going 3-4 with 2 runs scored. Kylie Jones added a big RBI triple and Reagan Altieri shut it down on the mound allowing one earned run and striking out 4 in 7 innings of work.

The Highlight: There is nothing like a Senior Night win to solidify team chemistry. They’ve now outscored their opponents 17-4 over their last two games.

Rankings Watch: The Lady Mantas have jumped to #25 in the Florida 3A rankings.

Tennis: Serving up ACES

Both the Boys and Girls tennis teams have been busy navigating a grueling district schedule. While tennis often flies under the radar, these athletes have been putting in major hours on the courts.

Girls Tennis: The Lady Mantas have been consistent all season. They continue to hold their own in a very deep 4A District 5 field. Their depth in singles play has been the key to staying competitive in team scoring. The Lady Mantas took care of the Port Charlotte pirates this week, grabbing a 7-0 win! The day before the ladies owned the home court and took down Oasis 5-2. The Lady Mantas are currently 7-1 as a team and will meet with Clewiston on 3/24.

Boys Tennis: The boys are showing great improvement in their doubles play. We’ve seen some marathon matches recently that have tested their endurance, and the leadership from the upperclassmen is keeping the energy high heading toward the district tournament.

Keep an Eye On: District tournament seedings will be determined soon. Every match this week counts double as they look to secure a favorable path to the post-season.

Track & Field: RAM Invitational

The team traveled to the RAM Invitational this weekend, and the competition was elite. Both 5th place finished for the Manta track teams. Over 10 PRs were hit and a NEW SCHOOL RECORD.

Boys Team: Finished a strong 5th place overall out of 13 teams, led by dominant performances in the field events.

Girls Team: Finished 5th place overall, continuing to prove they are one of the most balanced squads in the region.

Keep an eye on: The Lemon Bay Pole Vault Meet happening this Tuesday, March 17. Our vaulters have been clearing heights that have the rest of the district nervous.

Weightlifting: The Cowboy Invitational

Following their early morning home meet last week, the Boys Weightlifting team headed to the Cowboy Invitational yesterday. We are still waiting on the final individual scorecards, but word from the gym is that several Mantas posted personal bests in the Clean & Jerk.