Mustangs win district crown on eighth inning walk-off single

Sophomore Justin Greenaway hit a single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Mustangs a 5-4 victory over Seminole Osceola in the Class 6A-District 12 championship tonight.

It was Lakewood’s first district title since 2003 when the Mustangs won the program’s first state championship.

Trailing 1-0, Lakewood took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second inning when senior Bryan Vanvranken hit a two-run shot to left field for his first home run of the season. Senior Seth McGarry extended Lakewood’s lead when he hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third inning.

The Warriors responded, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead. But Lakewood kept its district title hopes alive when Vanvranken hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game.

Senior Brandon King pitched 4 2/3 innings before turning the ball over to Dom Leone and Brand Zunica in relief.

With the win, Lakewood will host District 11 runner-up Tampa Sickles at 7 p.m. May 3.

For a complete story on Lakewood’s district championship pick up the May 3 issue of the East County Observer.