Sebring Boys Knock Off Booker

SEBRING -- The Sebring boys tennis team accomplished something it hasn't done in quite a while by beating Booker 4-3 on Thursday at the Sun 'N Lake Country Club tennis courts.

"It's been at least four or five years since this team beat Booker, and the kids were excited," said second-year Blue Streak coach Jack Holt. "It was a good win and it came down to the final doubles match.

"We're a young team and this kind of win over a quality opponent is a good confidence builder."

The win improves Sebring to 2-0 on the season.

Blue Streak sophomore Michael Reed lost at No. 1 to Cody Gusto -- one of the top players in the district and a state tournament qualifier last year -- by scores of 0-6, 1-6.

At No. 2, Sebring junior Abbi Seethafariah outlasted Sean Squire, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in a marathon match.

"Abbi really showed some toughness to win that match," Holt said. "He hung in there and managed to come away with a win."

Blue Streak sophomore Kyle Komisar edged Booker's Allen Castro at No. 3 by scores of 6-7, 6-4,6-3, and sophomore Nikhal Raghaveera fell to Booker No. 4 Bauer Allman, 6-2, 6-7, 3-6.

Sebring's Mickey Lukens won at No. 5 over Tyler Bazano, 6-4, 6-3.

At No. 1 doubles, Gusto and Squire blanked Reed and Raghaveera 8-0, but Seethafariah and Komisar won at No. 2 doubles 8-4 to clinch the team win.

"We were missing Jake Broen, who is our number-one player, and to still get a win is a good accomplishment," said Holt.

The Blue Streaks next match is Tuesday at Hardee at 4 p.m.

The Sebring girls tennis team's match at Booker on Thursday was rescheduled. Its next match is slated for Tuesday against Avon Park at the South Florida Community College tennis courts.

BASEBALL: Sebastian River 1, Avon Park 0

AVON PARK -- An unearned run spoiled a solid pitching effort by Avon Park's Corey Topa and Kyle Jackson, as Sebastian River edged the Red Devils 1-0 on Thursday night in the Early Bird Classic.

The loss dropped Avon Park to 1-1.

"Corey and Kyle pitched well," said Red Devil coach Mort Jackson. "We had our chances to score several times during the game but we couldn't get the big hit."

SOFTBALL: Sebring 8, Frostproof 2

FROSTPROOF -- Sami Lower and freshman Amanda Grimaldo led the Sebring attack, combining to go 6-for-8 and four RBIs, as the Blue Streak softball team downed Frostproof 8-2 on Thursday.

"The girls came alive tonight," said Sebring head coach Lee Tolar. "They were swinging the bats well and our defense was solid against a really good team."

Melissa Luke and Nikky Kyle each went 2 for 2 and Niki Helms was solid on the mound, giving up just two runs on three hits to go along with three walks for the Streaks.

"Niki pitched a great game," Tolar said. "I'm really proud of how the team's been playing lately."

Sebring is back in action on Monday when they face cross-county rival Lake Placid at 7 p.m.