Baker freshman Alexis Ross is greeted by teammate Caitlin Holloway (12) after scoring a run against Mariner Friday. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com. Photo by Yunet Jomolca YUNET JOMOLCA

The Mariner Tritons used Friday night’s District 5A-15 game against the Ida Baker Bulldogs to prove how far they’ve come in that area.

After a costly fielding error in the first inning, the Tritons trailed 4-0 – the deficit grew to 5-1 – but scored seven unanswered runs over the final three innings to stun the host Bulldogs 8-5, securing the No. 3 seed for the district tournament.

If the early deficit wasn’t enough to test the Tritons (11-6, 6-2 district) they still had some wounds from the 24-5 loss they suffered at the hands of the Bulldogs in the season opener.

“This was a humongous win, especially after what happened the last time,” junior Nikki Roderiques said. “We could’ve fallen down and died, but this whole team stayed together.”

Sophomore Samantha Greenwell spearheaded the Tritons’ attack, going 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and the game-tying RBI single in the sixth. She also made several plays defensively at third base.

Roderiques went 2-for-4 and scored two runs, while sophomore pitcher Carrie Grigiski tossed a complete game, holding the Bulldogs (12-9, 4-4) scoreless over the final four innings. Hannah Kelly went 3-for-3 for the Bulldogs.

As triumphant as the finish was for the Tritons, the Bulldogs provided plenty of assistance with seven errors, many of which came in the final three innings.

“I hope we learned something from this,” Baker coach Morgan Klare said. “We just have to keep working on our technique.”

The Tritons host Fort Myers Tuesday and both teams have an LCAC crossover game the following week. The Tritons will be the No. 3 seed for the district tournament that starts April 20 and the Bulldogs drop to No. 6, which means the rivals will play for a third time.

The Bulldogs were more encouraged by their start to Friday’s game. It began with a senior night ceremony for the five seniors – Caitlin Holloway, Kayla Vetter, Christie Larrimore, Jamie Ross and Lacey Sovern.

In the bottom of the first, Allie Hare led off with a double for the Bulldogs and they picked up their first run on an RBI single by Holloway. The biggest play of the inning came when freshman Louie Ross singled to left field, but an error allowed the ball to roll to the fence, scoring three runs, including Ross.

The Bulldogs appeared to be in command in the bottom of the third when Larrimore delivered a two-out RBI single, making it 5-1.

“When we’ve been down we usually haven’t come back,” Greenwell said. “I just hoped we would this time.”

Roderiques and Greenwell hit back-to-back singles to begin the rally in the fifth and Abby Willis drove in one on a sacrifice fly. Later, MacKenzie Hunt drove the ball to deep right and the Bulldogs made one error initially and then two more throwing on the play, which scored two runs to make it 5-4.

The Tritons kept the pressure on in the sixth and seventh. Greenwell’s RBI single tied it 5-5, and they executed a double steal. Roderiques came home from third, putting the Tritons up 6-5.

In the seventh, they added two more runs. Hunt tripled and scored.

Mariner 001 032 2 – 8 8 2

Ida Baker 401 000 0 – 5 9 7

W – Carrie Grigiski. L – Kayla Vetter.

2B – Samantha Greenwell 2 (M), Allie Hare (IB). 3B – MacKenzie Hunt (M).

North Fort Myers 5, Florida High 0: Jackie Owen pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, striking out 10, and the Red Knights opened with a victory in the Kissimmee Klassic late Thursday night.

The game started after 11 p.m. and did not end until 1:22 a.m. Friday.

The Red Knights (17-2) knocked off Tallahassee Florida High, the No. 4-ranked team in Class 3A, in their first of three games in the tournament.

Micheala Schlotter went 2-for-4 with a double. Mariah Fernandez had a double and the Knights got RBI from Owen, Allie Kennedy and Katrissa Rowell.

They face Tampa Riverview Friday night and the tournament continues Saturday.

North Fort Myers 000 122 0 – 5 8 0

Florida High 000 000 0 – 0 3 7

W – Jackie Owen (15-2). L – Dozier.

2B – Mariah Fernandez (N), Micheala Schlotter (N), Dozier (F).

Baseball

Mariner 10, North Fort Myers 2: Michael Zunino’s three-run homer in the third powered the visiting Tritons to a win at North Fort Myers.

Audry Santana went 2-for-4 and Daniel Alimonti finished 3-for-5.

North freshman Chase Vogelbach went 4-for-4.

The Tritons (14-2) host Whitley County, Ky., Monday. The Red Knights (6-11) host Whitley County Thursday.

Mariner 007 201 0 – 10 10 0

North FM 010 001 0 – 2 12 3

W – Chris Ford. L – Foster.

2B – Cutler (N). HR – Zunino (M).

George Jenkins 13, Ida Baker 1: Jason Eick hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh for host Baker’s only run, but it wasn’t enough against George Jenkins’ constant barrage.

Baker (7-11) plays at Fort Myers Tuesday.