That's the ticket ...

Check out these top East County sporting events

By Jen Blanco
| 5:10 a.m. March 30, 2016

Johnathan Reid will help lead Lakewood Ranch into the Varsity County Championships April 5.

East County
Sports

1. THURSDAY, March 31

The Lakewood Ranch baseball team faces a tough out-of-state test when the Mustangs host Cleveland St. Ignatius (Ohio) at 4 p.m. The Wildcats were ranked third in Ohio last year and advanced to the state Final Four.

2. TUESDAY, April 5

Looking to close out the last week of the regular season on a winning note, a pair of East County rivals will square off when the Braden River softball team hosts Lakewood Ranch at 6:30 p.m. The Mustangs handed the Pirates their first loss of the season in the first matchup between the two teams on March 15.

3. TUESDAY, April 5

Two of the area's top teams will hit the diamond when the Braden River baseball team hosts Sarasota at 7 p.m. The Pirates and Sailors both have posted double-digit wins this season and both earned one of the top two seeds in their respective districts.

4. TUESDAY, April 5

The Lakewood Ranch and Braden River boys and girls track teams compete in the Varsity County Championships. The annual meet, which will feature all eight Manatee County teams, will begin at 3 p.m., at St. Stephen’s.