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Hernando Today

Rivera's Clout Seals the Deal

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By C.J. RISAK

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: June 28, 2008

WILDWOOD - WILDWOOD - Spring Hill National took the early lead, withstood a Wesley Chapel comeback and then put the game away with a three-run homer by Josh Rivera in collecting an 8-2 win in a first-round contest at the AAA Majors (11-12-year-olds) All-Stars District 6 Tournament Monday at Wildwood's Millennium Park.

SH National advanced to meet Bushnell in a winner's bracket game Tuesday at Millennium.

A three-run first inning got SHN going. Doubles by Lenny Beetz and Blaine West left runners at second and third for Jon Waskowitz, whose double produced two runs. A single by Jonathan Brosher and a walk to Rivera loaded the bases and a third run scored when Zach Guerin was hit by a pitch.
Wesley Chapel got a run on a wild pitch in the second and another on a groundout in the third to close to within 3-2, but SHN manufactured two in the third on two walks and an error, with West scoring the second run from second base on Brosher's sacrifice fly.

Closing it out

Rivera's three-run blast in the fifth sealed Wesley Chapel's fate.

"We played well, we stayed focused," said SHN coach Rob Gomez. "Give credit to Josh (Rivera), his home run gave us a cushion."

As for the second-round game against Bushnell, Gomez said, "They're a well-rounded team. We'll just have to continue to stay focused."

The pitching win went to starter Frankie Gomez. Wesley Chapel's James Coviello took the loss.

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