By Henry Weitz

On Feb. 17 the Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Sharks hosted the Tocoi Creek High School (TCHS) Toros at Shark Park. The Toros have a loaded pitching staff this year with multiple pitchers committed to Division I colleges. Luckily for the Sharks, their own Davidson College commit, CJ McKenzie was on the bump for PVHS that night. McKenzie was on a heater to start the game as he no-hit the Toros through the first four innings with no signs of slowing down. The Sharks struck first in the bottom of the fourth where senior catcher, Steele Lickliter drew a walk and then advanced to second on a senior outfielder, Luca Candella single. With men at first and second, senior designated hitter, Storm Lickliter stepped up and crushed a double into deep right-center. Steele Lickliter and Candella both scored to give PVHS the advantage at 2-0. Those were the only runs the Sharks scored against TCHS. McKenzie continued to shut down the Toros inning after inning allowing only one player to reach base on a walk. McKenzie finished the game at all seven innings, sporting sixteen strikeouts and just one walk. This was the first PVHS no-hitter in nearly four years, and only one of a few in the history of the school. McKenzie said, “This win meant I worked hard with my team to make it happen and this gives us confidence in my ability”. McKenzie was named Prep Baseball’s Florida High School Pitcher of the Week and PVHS Athlete of the Week. PVHS will travel just down the road to Atlantic Coast High School to face the Stingrays on Feb. 19. 

• SP – CJ McKenzie (7.0 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 1 BB, 16 K’s)

On Feb. 19, PVHS travelled to Atlantic Coast High School (ACHS) for an away game against the Stingrays. Storm Lickliter started the game against the Stingrays with hopes of having another solid start like he did against Pedro Menendez High School. Sophomore shortstop, Jackson Miller and sophomore outfielder, Max Hydell got things going for the Sharks with an RBI single each to start the game 2-0. The Stingrays returned the favor with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to even the score 2-2. Twin brothers Storm and Steele Lickliter each had an RBI single and added on two more runs for PVHS in the top of the fifth. Hydell scored in the top of the sixth on a wild pitch and the Sharks went up 5-2. In the seventh, senior catcher, Evan Rubocki earned his first hit of the season with an RBI single, and shortly after senior second baseman, Caden Ritter also had his first hit and scored Rubocki. Miller scored on a wild pitch and PVHS powered to a 8-2 lead in the seventh. Although Storm Lickliter was dealing on the mound, the senior hit his pitch count of one hundred and five and was forced to sit out. Junior pitcher, Max Hakel came in to close the game for Lickliter on the mound. The Stingrays were able to score on a wild pitch before Hakel forced the last out. PVHS won 7-3 and will host Orange Park High School the next day at home. 

• SP – Storm Lickliter (6.2 IP, 4 Hits, 3 Runs, BB, 12 K’s)
• CP – Max Hakel (0.1 IP, 1 BB)

Feb. 20 was the third game of the week for PVHS. The Sharks took on the Orange Park High School (OPHS) Raiders at Shark Park. Junior pitcher and outfielder, Maddox Tepper started at pitcher for PVHS. Tepper dealt all seven innings and only allowed two runs, a walk, and tossed nine strikeouts. Junior first baseman, Grady Harris scored in the bottom of the second on an error, and again in the bottom of the fourth on a groundout. Ritter also scored in the fourth off a pitcher’s balk, and extended the Sharks lead to 3-0. In the bottom of the sixth, senior third baseman, Carter Lang scored Ritter and the Sharks went up 4-0. In the top of the seventh, Tepper gave up one run on an error and his other run was an RBI sac-fly. Tepper finished his complete game and sealed the win for PVHS at 4-2. The Sharks went undefeated and improved their overall record to 5-3 on the season. 

• SP – Maddox Tepper (7 IP, 3 Hits, 2 Runs, BB, 9 K’s)

Pictured: Logan Kearney (11) running to base (@fenneysflics)