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Hernando Today

Despite Wet Weather, First One Down

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: June 27, 2008

Despite the deluge that wreaked havoc on several Dixie Youth League events in the area Wednesday night, the Senior Boys (age 14) All-Stars District 6 Tournament mostly went off without a hitch.

Both Spring Hill and Ridge Manor got first-round games in at Wesley Chapel Park, with Spring Hill coming away with an 8-6 victory over Sumter while Ridge Manor lost, 21-1 in 4 1/2 innings, to Oak Griner.

Hernando, the other county team in the seven-team double-elimination tournament, received a first-round bye, opening with Oak Griner last night.

Simpson shines

"The score was a lot closer than it actually was," Spring Hill Head Coach Mike Sollazzo said.

Spring Hill opened up as much as an 8-3 advantage. Thomas Tambasco chipped in two hits and a run scored, while Julian Perez went 2-for-2 with two walks.

Louis Colaiacomo added a 3-for-4 effort, while Ian Townsend went 2-for-2 including a triple.

"Miscues, a few walks and timely hits from Colaiacomo, Perez and Townsend," Sollazzo said of how his team got on the scoreboard.

Perhaps the finest performance, however, came from starting pitching J.T. Simpson. He tossed three perfect innings, striking out eight.

Also, with runners on the corners and one out in the seventh, Dante Sollazzo came on in relief, picked a batter off first and induced a groundout to earn the save.

The win sent Spring Hill into a winner's bracket game against Wildwood last night. Ridge Manor will not play until an elimination game at 6 p.m. tonight versus either Wesley Chapel or Sumter.

"I thought we played pretty good," Coach Sollazzo said. "We came out strong. We were definitely in control of the game. The first three innings we shut them down. Then came the other innings. Overall I thought the kids played well defensively.

"We'll come right back. (Jon) Gaffney still start (last night). Basically we have four or five kids hitting. If the five other kids start hitting, we're going to be deadly."

DIXIE YOUTH LEAGUE SENIOR BOYS
BASEBALL DISTRICT 6 TOURNAMENT RECAP
at Wesley Chapel Park

06-25:
Wildwood 9, Wesley Chapel 4
Spring Hill 8, Sumter 6
Oak Griner 21, Ridge Manor 1 (4 1/2 inn.)

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

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