Tambasco Sets the Tone

When Spring Hill American Dixie League AAA Majors Head Coach Shawn Laferty said that his team's 11-1 win in four innings over South Walton was easier than it looked, he may have understated things a bit.

The reason is simple. When a team begins a game by having its opening six batters all score, it's usually a precursor of an easy win.

Led by a first-inning grand slam by Vito Tambasco and four runs batted in by Gabe Vasquez, Spring Hill American stayed unbeaten in the 11-12-year-old state baseball tournament played Sunday night at Ridge Manor Community Park in Hernando County.

"It was easier than it looked, but our pitchers went out tonight and threw strikes, we played good defense and we hit the ball well," said Laferty after the game.

With 24 runs scored in its opening two games of the tournament, Spring Hill (6-2 overall, 2-0 states) remains in the winner's bracket of the 12-team, double elimination tournament.

But on Monday night, SH American goes up against the team that defeated them 11-3 in the District 6 finale - South Lake.

"Things are going well, but now we come across are old nemesis South Lake," pointed out Laferty.

Early ignition

But to get to them, Spring Hill had to win Sunday night and did it easily as they scored 11 runs in the first three innings highlighted by a towering homer by Tambasco, a run-scoring double by Brandon LaMondra and a RBI single from Vasquez.

In the District 6 finale against South Lake, Spring Hill had trouble with its pitching as starting pitcher Tambasco had to leave the game early with a sore shoulder.

"We haven't beaten them yet, but we haven't had our number one and two pitchers against them yet either," said Laferty. "This game Monday ends up being a big game for us if we want a chance to win this tournament. If we beat them, we're 3-0 in the tournament and we won't have used up all our pitchers in doing it."

On Sunday, starter/winner Evan Webster went the first two innings, while Danny Schonborn and Blake Laferty each tossed one scoreless frame in relief restricting South Walton to three hits.