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Lopes Leads the Way

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR Hernando Today

Hernando Today

Published: July 13, 2008

RIDGE MANOR - Josh Lopes has been something of a phenom as a leadoff batter for the Spring Hill American AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Star baseball team.

He entered Saturday's opening round of the 12-team, double elimination state tourney at Ridge Manor Community Park as Head Coach Shawn Laferty's hottest batter - sporting a .583 average behind seven hits in 12 at-bats.

After a two-hour rain delay, the diminutive Lopes got a chance to pad his numbers.

He walked twice and scored twice as Spring Hill built an uneasy 6-0 cushion through three innings.

Heavy underdog Ridge Manor battled back, however, in the fourth with three runs on three hits and a Spring Hill dropped fly ball to slice the deficit in half, 6-3.

But the game's complexion changed in the bottom of the fourth as Spring Hill American awoke to pound six hits and collect seven runs off Ridge Manor's third pitcher, Logan Buckner, to ice its first-round opponent via the 10-run mercy rule, 13-3.

With the win, SH American (5-2 overall, 1-0 states) faces the winner of South Walton/Wewahitchka today at 5:30 p.m.

South Walton led 3-0 late Saturday afternoon.

With the setback, Ridge Manor (0-1 overall, 0-1 states) tangles with the loser of South Walton/Wewahitchka at 1 p.m. today.

The tourney setback was also Ridge Manor's 15th in a row in this age division going back to 2001.

Early lead

Spring Hill American scored once in the first inning as Lopes scored on a passed ball, 1-0. Laferty's team, however, left the bases loaded off starter-loser Nate Avalos as Danny Schonborn grounded into a comebacker.

Schonborn, the first of three Spring Hill pitchers, retired six of the seven batters he faced across two innings.

Schonborn got the win striking out five and not issuing a walk.

Evan Webster relieved Schonborn and worked a 1-2-3 third inning to maintain the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Avalos was replaced by reliever Bobby Smith. Smith was charged with an error and walked two batters before he replaced by Buckner.

Buckner was tagged for an RBI single by Webster and a two-run double by Vito Tambasco in a 5-run uprising, 6-0.

But Ridge Manor Head Coach Scott Ulery's club clawed right back. Marshall Aske, Buckner and Kayla Carter each singled off Spring Hill's third pitcher, Ryan Keith, with two outs in the top of the fourth.

Next, Keith forced home a run with a bases-load walk to Avalos, 6-1.

A dropped fly ball in left-center off the bat of Austin Sullivan made it, 6-3.

Here, Keith fanned Casy Gillespie on a full count to defuse the rally.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Matt Rhineberger legged out an infield hit before Gabe Vasquez walked.

On a 3-1 pitch, Lopes hit the top of the left-field fence for his first-ever homer, 9-3.

The bomb seemed to ignite the slumbering SH American bats.

Webster doubled and Blake Laferty followed with an RBI single, 10-3.

Tambasco was hit by a pitch and Austin Treverton followed with a single. An error plated Laferty, 11-3.

Brandon LaMondra, who came in hitting an uncharacteristic .200, doubled to right-center to score Tambasco and Treverton to seal matters, 13-3.

Lopes goes long

What about Lopes' homer?

"I saw ball better than I usually do and just swung," admitted the 12-year-old Lopes. "After they scored a few runs, we all kinda decided it was our turn."

And the bomb?

"I've never hit one ever before," smiled Lopes. "It was kinda exciting. It's not the same as hitting one off coach in practice."

Schonborn described the first-round win.

"It was great," said the 12-year-old right-hander. "I just wanted to start the game on a good note. It's great to have the early runs on the board. We've got a great offense. It takes some pressure off."

Webster, who fanned in his first at-bat, finished 2-for-3 and scored twice.

"I went after a high pitch in my first at-bat," shrugged the 12-year-old Webster. "From there on out, I was paying more attention to the pitches. I was tilted on the first at-bat."

What was the difference today?

"Josh's (Lopes) homer," instantly replied Webster. "After that hit I knew I had to keep the rally going."

Treverton, who reached base safely in all three trips, finished 2-for-2.

"A win like this gives us some confidence," added the 12-year-old Treverton. "Ridge Manor was pretty good. They had one good inning."

Coaches' critique

Neither coach gave high marks for Saturday's efforts.

"I thought Lopes' homer was the big shot," commented Laferty. "I'd give our team a "C" grade. I know we can play much better than we did. The biggest thing we wanted to do today was save some our pitching - and we did that."

Biggest positive?

"We finally started hitting as a team, the way we're capable of," added Laferty. "And it was nice to finish somebody off. I tell you, though, moving Lopes to leadoff was the best thing we've done. He deserves to hit there. He proved it again today."

From the other dugout, the final score did not faze Coach Ulery.

"Today was my fault," he indicated. "Smith had to change his windup once he got in the game and it messed us up. The kids got down when they scored five runs. That move was on me."

Overall?

"I'd give us a "C" we scored some runs off a very good team," added Ulery. "We also can play much better."

Spring Hill American 13, Ridge Manor 3 (3 1/2 Innings)
123 4 R H E
RM 000 3 -- 3 3 2
SHA 105 7 -- 13 8 2
RM – Avalos, Smith (3), Buckner (3) and Carter, Aske (4).
SHA – Schonborn, Webster, Keith (4) and Treverton.
2B – Tambasco, Treverton, Webster.
HR – Lopes.
Records – Ridge Manor (0-1 overall, 0-1 states), Spring Hill American (5-2 overall, 1-0 states).

Dixie Youth League Baseball
AAA Majors (ages 11-12)
State Tourney Recap
at Ridge manor Community Park

07-12:
Spring Hill American 13, Ridge Manor 3 (4 Inns.)
South Walton 4, Wewahitchka 0
South Lake 11, Hiland Park 1
Liberty County 1, Avon Park 0
Okeechobee 7, Wahneta 2
Hardee County 10, Paxton 0

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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