Wharton storms Sickles 12-1; earns first final four spot
Wharton junior Connor Evans allowed one run across 5 1/3 innings, while striking out six as the Wildcats poured on the runs against Sickles in the deciding Game 3 of the Class 6A-3 Region Final series (813Preps file photo, M. Camunas).
Staff Report
NEW TAMPA – Wharton is headed to the FHSAA state semifinals for the first time in program history after the Wildcats won Sunday’s Game 3 of the Class 6A-Region 3 Final series, 12-1 in six innings against Sickles.
Wharton (27-7) got off to a quick start as senior Justis Meadows and junior Chase Anello both hit solo home runs in the first inning, giving Wildcats righty Connor Evans a lead he would never relinquish. Evans pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed one run on five hits and four walks and struck out six.
Wildcats senior Justis Meadows hit a solo home run (his sixth of the year) in the first inning (813Preps file photo).
Chase Andress would relieve Evans in the sixth and pick up one strikeout around a couple of hits, but it was at the plate the junior have the most significant impact – ending the game an inning early by mercy rule with a walk-off grand slam – his fifth homer of the season.
Jairius Morris was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI, and Antonio Fawcett had an RBI double and scored two runs in the win.
Junior Chase Anello hit his sixth home run of the season – and fifth of the region tournament – to drive in what would prove to be the winning run (813Preps file photo, M. Camunas).
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Sickles got a pair of doubles from junior Jake Taylor, and strung together three singles in the sixth, the last of which was an RBI line drive to center by Charlie Martz.
Wharton will face Gainesville Buccholz (32-2) in the state semifinals on Friday, May 16 at 10 am from Fort Myers’ Hammond Stadium.
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Chase Andress ended Sunday’s game with a grand slam, walk off (813Preps file photo).
⚾ Class 6A-Region 3 ⚾
Wharton wins series 2-1
Wharton 12
Sickles 1 – six innings
S 000|001|x – |1|7|2
W 200|604|x – |12|7|0
W – Evans; L – Bly
2B – Taylor 2 (S); Fawcett, Morris (W); HR – Meadows, Anello, Andress (W). Records – S (25-11); W (27-7).
