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Hernando Today

Spring Hill Teams Enjoy Hot Start

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: June 17, 2008

Two AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All-Star teams from Spring Hill played two very different games during Saturday's District 6 Tournament first round at Kenny Dixon Sports Complex in Bushnell.

However, the final result for both teams was the same, each notching an impressive opening-day triumph in the 11-team double-elimination event.

Spring Hill American trounced county foe Ridge Manor by a startling 25-0 score, while Spring Hill National went toe-to-toe with one of the tournament's top teams, South Lake, and pulled out a 4-2 win.

The fourth county team in the field, Hernando Youth League, suffered an 8-7 defeat at the hands of San Antonio.

SH National rallies

Spring Hill National made its case as one of the better teams in the field, coming back from an early deficit to send tough South Lake into the loser's bracket.

After falling behind 2-0, National received a boost via Jacob Mannino's solo homer run. Spring Hill went ahead with two runs in the fourth, one scoring on an error and another on Brandon Baker's RBI single.

J.T. Hrobuchak tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on a run-scoring single. Mason Stacy, James Beck and Hrobuchak combined for five innings of scoreless relief.

"It was Jacob Mannino's home run that got us started and solid pitching from the second inning on," Spring Hill Manager John Hrobuchak said. "We shut down one of the top teams in the tournament. We kept their bats quiet and played flawless defense."

Spring Hill American required no such rally in decimating Ridge Manor. Joshua Penney contributed a home run, Dante Hamilton added a pair of doubles and Devon Nicolini scored five times.

"We put the ball in play," American Manager Al Sorrentino said. "We put it in play and they didn't really catch the ball very well. When they threw a strike, we hit it.

"It's a double-edged sword. You want to start with a win. Hopefully the kids don't think it'll be that easy all the time and I don't think they do. We've got a tougher test (last night) and I think they'll be ready."

Spring Hill National drew Wildwood yesterday, while Spring Hill American faced San Antonio. A Spring Hill team has won the district at this age level five out of the last six years.

Manager Bruce Price's Hernando teams have reached states the past two seasons at the AA Rookies (ages 7-8) level, but his team's debut in this tournament made a return trip more daunting.

San Antonio took a 5-4 advantage in the second inning and eventually went ahead 8-4 before Hernando nearly rallied all the back.

Daniel Miller's leadoff double in the sixth put the tying run in scoring position, yet Hernando failed to drive him in. Hernando moved on to an elimination game versus Ridge Manor last night.

"Our pitching probably let us down more than what I expected," Price said. "I probably could have pulled the guy a lot sooner.

"We hit the ball really, really well. I'm very pleased with the way we hit the ball. We played great defense. We just had a hiccup in the one inning that cost us.

"We've just got to stay with the basics and what we're doing. Play fundamentally sound, defensive baseball. If we get better pitching I think we'll be fine."

DIXIE YOUTH LEAGUE AAA MINORS (AGES 9-10) ALL-STARS
DISTRICT 6 TOURNAMENT RECAP
at Kenny Dixon Sports Complex, Bushnell

06-14
Wesley Chapel 18, Sumter 5
Bushnell 8, Oak Griner 7
Spring Hill American 25, Ridge Manor 0
San Antonio 8, Hernando 7
Spring Hill National 4, South Lake 2

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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