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Hernando Today

Hernando Ready to Compete

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR. Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

When the AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Stars District 6 Tournament kicks off today at Millennium Park in Wildwood, Hernando Youth League will be among 10 teams looking to earn a trip to states.

The State Tournament will take place right here in Hernando County, starting July 12 in Ridge Manor. The winner of the district tournament will join Ridge Manor in that event.

Hernando opens its tournament run today with a 2 p.m. game against Oak Griner.

The roster includes Tanner Bammert, Isaiah Cullum, Clay Cozart, Gee Duncan, Connor Foradas, Gavin Frascatore, Kaleb Johnson, Kyle Kilbourne, Brendan Litwinsky, Addison Lowman, Bradley Platt and Brent Stentz.

"It's coming together now. I think we'll be OK," Head Coach Dudley Cullum said. "We've got six 12-year-olds, six 11-year-olds and we're pretty deep in pitching. We've got eight pitchers and a couple others who can get a few innings if we need them to."

Cullum listed Frascatore, Foradas, Cullum, Lowman, Kilbourne and Stentz as pitchers.

"They're very consistent with balls and strikes," Coach Cullum said. "We don't have anyone that throws real hard, but everybody is around the plate. Provided the defense does its job, they'll be able to make plays and get outs."

The coach was happy with some of his pitcher's performances in a scrimmage against Spring Hill American, and likewise Spring Hill Head Coach Shawn Laferty took notice.

Of course, that scrimmage gave Cullum an idea of what it will take to hang with one of the likely favorites to take the district crown.

"That Spring Hill team we played is a really strong team," Cullum said. "In order for us to beat them, we have to have our best game. After that, I don't know any of the other teams."

Offensively Cullum believes he has power, including Johnson, Cullum and Foradas, and also a lot of consistent hitters.

Still, he sees basic baseball as the key to his team advancing through this double-elimination event.

"Doing the little things right, that's what I'm preaching to my kids," Cullum said. "Don't give the other team outs. We can beat anyone in the tournament provided we don't make errors and do silly things in the field. We need to play defense and hit the ball like we did in practice."

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

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