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Spring Hill teams fighting through

DIXIE ALL-STARS BASEBALL

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

The Spring Hill Seniors All-Stars, featuring (front row, left to right): Jake Schoonover, Gabe Abbadessa, Zack Taylor, Eric DaCosta, Nic Pasarela, Mike Evans, Krishen Gosine and David George. Back row (left to right): Coach Tom Decotis, Joey Wright, Jalaun Outlaw, Head Coach Joe Abbadessa, Tom Decotis, Mason Arroyo and Coach Chris Cusker.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: June 30, 2009

After an impressive start on Saturday, beating Spring Hill National, 7-5, defending state champ Spring Hill American stumbled in the Dixie AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Stars District 6 Tournament.

But following Monday's 3-2 loss to San Antonio, Spring Hill American took out Wildwood in an elimination game at Anderson Snow Sports Complex Tuesday night, 14-4.

"It was a well-balanced game," Spring Hill American Head Coach Vito Tambasco said. "I'm real happy with the way they bounced back. We started off a little sluggish, a little slow, then rebounded."

Scott Dwyer started on the mound and tossed two hitless, shutout innings while striking out three. Trevor McKenna added four innings of two-hit, one-run relief with 10 strikeouts.

Offensively, Sean Nascimento went 2-for-2 with a triple, home run and four runs scored. John Peloro went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a homer plus three RBI, and Vito Tambasco Jr. and McKenna each homered and drove in a combined five runs.

McKenna and Dwyer also pitched well in Monday's loss. Dwyer added two hits and Tambasco a homer in that one. Tambasco has gone yard once in all three tournament games.

"We didn't hit good but we played defensively very well," Coach Tambasco said of Monday's game. "There was a bad call by the umpire, an interference call neither one supposedly saw. But we only had four hits.

"…We felt like the game was taken away from us. Not taking anything away from the San Antonio pitcher. He pitched a great game, but now we're in the loser's bracket."

Spring Hill National survived within the loser's bracket on Monday, knocking Hernando out of the tournament with a 10-9 triumph.

Hernando had previously lost a heartbreaker on Saturday, 1-0 to San Antonio in 11 innings, then Monday went into the sixth inning down 10-5 before nearly rallying for a win.

However, after yielding four runs in the final stanza, Spring Hill National recorded the last out with the bases loaded. James Leyden had a 2-for-3 day, plating three runs.

"I told the kids after the game, it's too bad there were so many negatives in the last inning," Spring Hill National Head Coach Al Sorrentino said. "The bottom line is we won the game.

"Up to that point, we were playing well. We had a seven-run lead at one point, but you can't relax in this tournament. We found a way out of it and now we move on."

The results of Tuesday's game between Spring Hill National and South Lake were unavailable at press time.

Ridge Manor did not fair as well in avoiding elimination on Monday, getting beat by South Lake, 26-2 in four innings, following Saturday's 11-0 loss to Wesley Chapel.

"It's rough when you've got 20 kids to pick from when everyone else has 50-75," Ridge Manor Head Coach Steve Carter said. "You pretty much got to go with what you've got. They gave it their all and we're done."

Winner-take-all

The Spring Hill Seniors (age 14) forced a winner-take-all District 6 title game Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Bushnell's Kenny Dixon Sports Complex. Both teams are already assured a spot in the state tournament.

This came as a result Tuesday's 5-2 win over previously unbeaten Sumter, the same team Spring Hill (4-1) lost to on Sunday, 5-4.

Joey Wright pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out six. Mike Evans went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring once and recording two RBI. Nic Pasarela went 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI.

"I think they're playing really well right now," Spring Hill Head Coach Joe Abbadessa said. "The pitching has been outstanding, the defense has been pretty good and we've been getting some timely hitting. I'm very, very pleased."

DISTRICT 6 SENIOR BOYS (AGE 14) TOURNAMENT RESULTS
at Bushnell's Kenny Dixon Sports Complex (double elimination)
06-26:
Spring Hill 6, Hernando 3
San Antonio 13, Ridge Manor 1
Sumter 12, Oak Griner 0
06-27:
Hernando 15, Ridge Manor 3
Spring Hill 10, San Antonio 5
Sumter 10, Wesley Chapel 0
06-28:
San Antonio 14, Wesley Chapel 4
Oak Griner 11, Hernando 7
Sumter 5, Spring Hill 4
06-29:
Spring Hill 7, San Antonio 1
Sumter 15, Oak Griner 10
06-30:
Spring Hill 5, Sumter 2
07-01:
(Championship)
Spring Hill vs. Sumter, 7 p.m.

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 vs. South Lake, late
Bushnell vs. Oak Griner, late
San Antonio – bye.
07-01:
Spring Hill American vs. Wesley Chapel, 6 p.m.
Spring Hill National/South Lake vs. Bushnell/Oak Griner loser, 6 p.m.
San Antonio vs. Bushnell/Oak Griner winner, 8 p.m.

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

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