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Gonzalez, Garner Force Winner-Take-All

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: July 19, 2008

RIDGE MANOR - South Lake's Danny Gonzalez clubbed a solo homer with one out in the top of the sixth to snap a 3-all tie, sending the Lake County club to a 4-3 win over previously unbeaten Spring Hill American at Ridge Manor Community Park Friday night.

Gonzalez blasted a 3-1 Blake Laferty offering over the right-center-field fence, forcing a winner-take-all finale late Friday night in the AAA Majors (ages 11-12) State Championship Tournament.

Gonzalez opened the game with a RBI single in the first inning. Garrett Cole followed with a RBI double, staking South Lake (10-2 overall, 5-1 states) to an early 2-0 cushion.

Spring Hill American's Josh Lopes singled and eventually scored an unearned run off Gonzalez in the top of the first.

South Lake stretched the lead to 3-1 as Jacob Folks singled to right to plate Dallas Riffle.

Spring Hill missed an opportunity in the second after Danny Schonborn and Gabe Vazquez led off with walks. Here, South Lake coach Mike Padgett replaced Gonzalez with Matt Garner. Garner enticed his team's second double play of the game as Ryan Keith grounded out.

Spring Hill tied matters behind a two-run fourth as Laferty doubled and Austin Treverton was hit by a pitch. Both scored on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Adan Ordonez, 3-3.

Garner earned the win in relief facing 18 batters across five innings. He walked two, struck out six, allowing only Laferty's double.

"All I told the kids before the game was it it on the field," Coach Padgett recalled. "They did. Matt pitched great tonight. He's played league ball with me. There is no better kid to have on a team than Matt."
And Gonzalez's homer?
"Remember, he's only played ball for two years," Padgett pointed out. "His best years are ahead of him. Before too long he'll be an even more polished ball player. His homer tonight was huge."

Results of the second game were unavailable at press time.

07-18 Game 1:
South Lake 4, Spring Hill American 3
123 456 R H E
SL 210 001 -- 4 6 2
SHA 100 200 -- 3 3 1
SL – Gonzalez, Garner (2) and Cole.
SHA – Laferty and Treverton.
W – Garner. L – Laferty.
2B – Padgett, Cole (SL).
HR – Gonzalez (SL).
Records – South Lake (10-2 overall, 5-1 states), Spring Hill American (9-3 overall, 5-1 states).

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

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