CLEWISTON -- The Clewiston High School Tigers varsity baseball team took down the undefeated Lemon Bay Manta Rays 11-7 on March 12 at Sugarland Park.

Lemon Bay came into the game a perfect 8-0, and had beaten Clewiston earlier in the season in an 18-9 blowout back on Feb. 24.

Lemon Bay’s offense has been unstoppable for most of the season, and their defensive play has been suffocating. In fact, those nine runs scored by Clewiston in their first matchup were the most Lemon Bay had given up all season. On Feb. 24 the two teams scored evenly for most of the game, but an 11-run inning in the second by the Manta Ray’s was too much for the Tigers to overcome.

The Tigers returned the favor on March 12.

Again both teams scored evenly throughout the first half of the game, with Lemon Bay taking a 7-5 lead in the top of the fifth.  But in the bottom of the sixth inning Clewiston poured on the runs, bringing home five to go up 11-7.

The Tigers appear to be the kryptonite to an otherwise unstoppable Lemon Bay team, as Clewiston is now responsible for the two highest scoring games against the Manta Ray offense.

Next the Tigers will be making the trip over to Belle Glade to take on the Glades Day Gators on March 24.

The Tigers defeated Glades Day in a preseason tournament earlier this year, 6-3.

The Gators are 4-2 and off to a fast start this year. Glades Day freshman Marquis Clarke  led the Gators on the pitcher’s mound during their last game against the Moore Haven Terriers on March 9. Clarke struck-out 12 batters and allowed only one hit in five innings pitched. The Gators went on to win that game 13-0.

That win completes a season sweep of the Terriers by the Gators, with Glades Day taking the first matchup back on 15-0. Junior Dylan Wilkins and senior Brayden Browder both hit doubles in that season opening game.

The Gators two losses this season were a close 6-3 game against Clewiston, and a 13-7 loss to Palm Beach Lakes. Glades Day fell behind early to Palm Beach, but climbed back into the game with a 4-run fifth inning to make the game 6-5. A 6-run performance by Palm Beach in the bottom of the sixth innings ultimately put the game out of reach.

The Gators and Tigers take the field at 4 p.m. on March 24