San Antonio Rallies

WILDWOOD - Spring Hill National's run in the AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Stars District 6 Tournament came to a close Saturday, after a 15-hit San Antonio assault.

SH National's 8-3 loss ended its season while elevating San Antonio into a possible elimination game against Spring Hill American. The winner of that contest would face South Lake at 2 p.m. Sunday for the district title.

However, with two teams from the district qualifying for the State Tournament, there was a distinct possibility there could be a playoff for that second berth. If so, that game would be Monday night, according to tournament officials.

Unfortunately, SH National fell one step short of that possibility.

Early cushion

It did have the early lead, scoring twice in the first inning on a walk to Blaine West, a single by Jon Waskowitz and a two-run double by Jonathan Brosher.

However, things started to unravel for SHN when Waskowitz, the team's starting pitcher, had to leave the mound after three innings due to arm soreness.

"That forced me to alter my game plan," said SHN coach Rob Gomez.

San Antonio had better fortune against West, who replaced Waskowitz, Frankie Gomez and Zach Guerin. Dylan Cumbee doubled in two runs, including the go-ahead score, in a three-run fourth and Turner Stalnaker and Justin Hobby each had two-run doubles to highlight a five-run fifth.

SH National got one back in the sixth on Josh Rivera's RBI single, but left the bases loaded as the game came to a close.

"As far as commitment and determination, I'm proud of every one of them," was how Gomez summarized his team's season. He could have added his team came so very close, falling just one step short.