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Controversial call mars classic

DIXIE AAA MAJORS ALL-STARS

Hernando Today photo by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Spring Hill National's Thomas Sorrentino hit a game-winning, walk-off home run against South Lake in Tuesday night's elimination game of the Dixie AAA Majors District 6 Tournament.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: July 1, 2009

On Tuesday night Al Sorrentino experienced a father's dream, watching his son Thomas hit a walk-off home run for an extra-inning victory.

Yet the elder Sorrentino, also the head coach of the Spring Hill National AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Stars, admitted that he couldn't take in the moment, at least not initially.

That's because a few innings earlier in this elimination game of the District 6 Tournament at Anderson Snow Sports Complex, South Lake lost its potential game-winning bomb on an umpire's ruling.

So when the younger Sorrentino's blast in the bottom of the eighth inning delivered a 6-5 victory to Spring Hill National, the atmosphere was less than friendly.

"I really didn't get to enjoy it very much," Coach Sorrentino said. "It wasn't a very pleasant situation. The other team's fans cursing at you and calling you names. It was pretty intense.

"Later on when I got home, I was able to talk to with (Thomas) and enjoy it."

With the score tied at 5 in the top of the seventh, a South Lake player smacked a ball over the fence and rounded the bases.

When he reached home plate, however, Sorrentino said the player jumped over the plate in celebration, then was pushed back by his teammates so that he could touch the base.

Sorrentino alerted the umpire, who ruled the South Lake player out. South Lake protested the call, forcing an hour-long delay.

"I just feel a technicality to be called at the 12-year-old level, that 99 out of 100 umpires wouldn't even consider calling, for them to even bring that up is classless," South Lake Head Coach Manny Mendoza said.

"It shows that winning is everything at all costs and it's just ridiculous. Put yourself in that 12-year-old's shoes. That may be the only time in his life he does something like that."

Mendoza said he was in the process of appealing to Dixie officials, but as of Wednesday afternoon had not received a return call.

For Sorrentino, it came down to doing what he felt was right by his own squad.

"Yeah it's disappointing for them to lose a run because of it, but I've got to take care of my team," Sorrentino said. "My kids battled hard and a rule was broken. I couldn't look my team in the eye if we lose the game knowing if I questioned the umpire, we had a chance to win."

The controversy marred an otherwise classic battle for survival. South Lake (1-2) had jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Spring Hill National (2-1) rallied back in the middle innings to go up 5-4.

Thomas Sorrentino hit a two-run, go-ahead double in the fifth, part of 2-for-4, 3-RBI night, though South Lake knotted things up in the sixth.

Earlier in the contest Paul Blackwood hit his second homer of the tournament, and Dante Hamilton pitched two scoreless innings after the protest delay.

"I know this group of kids is not going to give up," Coach Sorrentino said. "They'll battle you to the end."

The win advanced Spring Hill National to a 6 p.m. meeting with Oak Griner Wednesday night. Results were unavailable at press time.

DIXIE YOUTH LEAGUE BASEBALL DISTRICT 6 AAA MAJORS (AGES 11-12) TOURNAMENT RESULTS
at Anderson Snow Sports Complex (double elimination)
06-27:
Spring Hill American 7, Spring Hill National 5
San Antonio 1, Hernando 0 (11 Inns.)
Wesley Chapel 11, Ridge Manor 0
Bushnell 14, South Lake 10
Oak Griner 5, Wildwood 3
Sumter – received a bye
06-29:
Oak Griner 7, Sumter 6
Spring Hill National 10, Hernando 9
South Lake 26, Ridge Manor 2 (4 Inns.)
San Antonio 3, Spring Hill American 2
Bushnell 16, Wesley Chapel 4
06-30:
Spring Hill American 14, Wildwood 4
Wesley Chapel 5, Sumter 4
Spring Hill National 6, South Lake 5 (8 Inns.)
Bushnell 11, Oak Griner 1
San Antonio – bye.
07-01:
Spring Hill American vs. Wesley Chapel, 6 p.m.
Spring Hill National vs. Oak Griner, 6 p.m.
San Antonio vs. Bushnell, 8 p.m.

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

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