Daily Breeze staff report, “mailto:breezesports@breezenewspapers.com”>breezesports@breezenewspapers.com

Heading into Monday’s match against Palmetto Ridge, Ida Baker boys’ golf coach Scott Conforte said it was only a matter of time before one of his players broke 40.

A few hours later, senior Todd Mallorey and sophomore Michael Faulkner, turned in rounds of 37 and 38.

The performances helped the Bulldogs to a 158-174 win at Palmetto Pine Country Club in Cape Coral.

The Bulldogs (8-0) remain unbeaten heading into a difficult stretch this week with four matches in four days.

“This is a big week for us,” Conforte said. “We go down to (East Lee County) Tuesday and Wednesday we have a makeup quad-match with Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Island Coast.“

Contributing to Monday’s win were junior Cody Byers, who shot 41, and junior Ryan Gallick, who carded 42. Those scores are indicative of the consistent team play the Bulldogs have shown through the early portion of the season.

Along with junior Miko Dougherty, they’ve used primarily those five players in the top four spots.

The Bulldogs are coming off a successful season in 2007. They finished runner-up in districts and fourth in regionals, but had to replace graduated seniors Casey Swink, Kullee Dimas, Michael Newborn and David Orlando.

“We have a good group of juniors,” Conforte said. “We’re hoping to continue to improve and surprise some teams.“



Ida Baker 158 — Todd Mallorey 37, Michael Faulkner 38, Cody Byers 41, Ryan Gallick 42

Palmetto Ridge 174 — Emilio Mariconda 36, Carlos Garcia 43, Carlos Mendiola 45, Brad Saxton 50



At Sebring: Led by junior Braden Junkins and sophomore Dean Hoffer, Mariner placed 13th out of 29 teams in the Hawkins Invitational Monday. Junkins and Hoffer each posted rounds of 78 in the 18-hole event and the Tritons finished with a team score of 317.

Senior Grant Burgess shot 80 and junior C.J. Cricco was one back at 81.

“I was pleased with our effort,” Mariner coach James Harris said. “I thought they took the trip seriously, as a good test. We probably left a couple strokes out there, but that’s a good tournament.”

West Orange took first place with a score of 292. Bishop Verot tied for sixth with 307 and Fort Myers tied for 15th with 321.

Mariner returns to action Thursday when it hosts River-dale at Coral Oaks Golf Course.



Mariner (317) — Braden Junkins 78, Dean Hoffer 78, Grant Burgess 80, C.J. Cricco 81



Volleyball



North Fort Myers 3, Cape Coral 0: Denasia Smith and Paige Engh combined to lead North Fort Myers to a District 5A-15 victory over Cape Coral.

Smith delivered five kills and blocked five shots while Engh added five service aces in the Red Knights’ 25-10, 25-19, 25-21 win.

Alyssa Dougherty contributed 10 digs.

North (2-3, 2-2 district) visits district rival Baker Tuesday night.



CORRECTION: In the Cape Coral High-Lehigh football game story in Saturday’s Breeze, the Seahawks defensive player who made the first pass interception of the game was incorrectly identified. The story should have stated the deflection fell right into the hands of sophomore Josh Monteagudo, who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.