Yet Another Rally One Huge Final Exam Left

For the third straight game, Spring Hill American's AAA Majors found themselves in the hole Thursday night against pesky Liberty County.

But it didn't matter as Head Coach Shawn Laferty's team rallied yet again for a come-from-behind, five-inning, 15-5 triumph at Ridge Manor Community Park.

"The night started with Ryan (Keith) hitting a homer in the second," explained Coach Laferty. "It was huge. Then Vito (Tambasco) left a couple pitches up and then things got a little scary.

"After we tied it, Blake (Laferty) hit a mistake and he absolutely punished it," added Coach Laferty.

Biggest positives?

"What can you say about Matt (Rhineberger, who collected three hits)?" said Laferty. "He is capable of hitting like that. What an effort.

"Defensively, they (Liberty County) cracked a little bit and we made all our plays," said Laferty. "We need that kind of effort again tomorrow."

From the opposing dugout, Liberty County Head Coach Steve Swier thought his team competed right to the end.

"What happened was after Laferty hit the homer in the fifth, our kids got down. We knew we needed to score the inning before and we didn't.

"Then they hit a couple balls and we got a little panicky," added Coach Swier. "Normally, we make all those routine-type plays.

"I thought our pitcher (Jacobs) pitched a hell of a game and we thought blue pinched us a little bit," he added. "We knew we had to play a perfect game against Spring Hill to win and it didn't happened. Spring Hill is the most solid, all-around team in this tournament."

It's Liberty call early

Liberty County rode the strength of Hunter Jacobs' 3-run homer and Chuck Morris' titanic solo shot two batters later to lead 5-3 after 2 1/2 innings.

But Spring Hill, which received a shocking 3-run home run by Ryan Keith in the second inning, chipped away with single runs in the third and fourth innings to tie matters.

"When I hit it I thought it was just a pop-up," said the 12-year-old Keith. "But the ball kept carrying. It (homer) felt great. I thought Blake's homers were electric. He did really good tonight."

Spring Hill battled back as Blake Laferty's sacrifice fly scored Josh Lopes in the third before Matt Rhineberger's second of three hits - an RBI single to right-center plated Brandon LaMondra in the fourth, 5-5.

Here, Spring Hill's third pitcher Laferty pitched a key scoreless fifth.

In the bottom of the frame, Spring Hill sent 12 batters to the plate to score 10 runs on six hits and took advantage of three of Liberty County's game-high five errors to win via the mercy rule, 15-5.

With the win, Spring Hill American (9-2 overall, 5-0 states) will advance to Friday night's title game at 6 p.m. against South Lake.

South Lake eliminated Okeechobee Thursday night, 4-1.

Should Spring Hill drop the 6 p.m. game, the two teams will play another game after a one-hour break.

Spring Hill American is seeking Hernando County's first-ever State Championship in this age division for the first time in 53 years.

Heroes everywhere

For Spring Hill, Laferty got the win in relief. He helped himself at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort highlighted by two towering homers in the fifth. He finished with four RBI.

"Tonight it all started with Ryan's homer," insisted Laferty. "It got us all excited."

Rhineberger, batting out of the No. 9 hole went 3-for-3, scored twice and drove in two runs.

Vito Tambasco and Lopes each rapped two hits while Austin Treverton sealed the game with his fourth homer of the series to complete the scoring.

"I saw the ball well all night," shared the 13-year-old Rhineberger. "I felt like I needed to do something. I hadn't been producing."

Tambasco worked the first three innings giving up five runs (all earned) on four hits.

Danny Schonborn walked a pair but pitched a scoreless fourth before Laferty came on in the fifth.

Defensively, Spring Hill was perfect on 17 chances while Liberty County (5-2 overall, 3-2 states) committed five errors.

Two of the finest web gems arrived when Schonborn played shortstop and took a hit away from Hayden Swier in the first inning and Evan Webster robbing Jacobs of at least a double with a screamer down the first base line in the fifth.

Spring Hill American 15, Liberty County 5 (5 Innings)
123 4 5 R H E
LC 014 0 0 -- 5 5 5
SHA 031 1(10) -- 15 15 0
LC - Jacobs, H. Swier (5) and Morris.
SHA - Tambasco, Schonborn (4), Laferty and Treverton.
W - Laferty. L - Jacobs.
2B - Davis (OKEE), Laferty (SHA).
HR - Morris, Jacobs (LC); Keith, Treverton, Laferty 2 (SHA)
Records - Liberty County (5-2 overall, 3-2), Spring Hill American (9-2 overall, 5-0 states).

Dixie Youth League Baseball
AAA Majors (ages 11-12)
State Tourney Recap
at Ridge Manor Community Park

07-12:
Spring Hill American 13, Ridge Manor 3 (4 Inns.)
South Walton 4, Wewahitchka 0
South Lake 11, Hiland Park 1
Liberty County 1, Avon Park 0
Okeechobee 7, Wahneta 2
Hardee County 10, Paxton 0

07-13:
SH American 11, South Walton 1 (4 Inns.)
South Lake 11, Liberty Co. 1
Okeechobee 7, Hardee County 4
Ridge Manor 8, Wewahitchka 6
Avon Park 6, Hiland Park 4
Wahneta 10, Paxton 0

07-14:
SH American 8, South Lake 5
Avon Park 4, Wahneta 3
Hardee County 4, South Walton 3
Liberty County 12, Ridge Manor 0 (5 Inns.)

07-15:
SH American 8, Okeechobee 4
South Lake 13, Hardee County 1
Liberty County 7, Avon Park 1

07-16:
Rained out

07-17:
SH American 15, Liberty County 5 (5 Inns.)
South Lake 4, Okeechobee 1

07-18: (Championship)
SH American vs. South Lake, 6 p.m.
NOTE: If necessary game 1 hour after first game