HYL Knocks Out SH American

SPRING HILL - Hernando Youth League delivered the knockout blow to one of the District 6 Tournament hosts yesterday. Today, the Brooksville club will try to make it a Spring Hill sweep.

Hernando eliminated Spring Hill American in AA Rookies (ages 7-8) All-Stars action last night, leaving Anderson Snow Sports Complex with a 10-8 victory.

"We threw strikes, not many walks," Hernando coach Chad Sims said. "The bats came alive in the third inning. We started hitting well. That's the key to the game.

"And Wyatt (Stewart) did an excellent job. Then Grey Sims came in and closed it out, throwing strikes. That's what it's all about in this league."

Tonight at 6 p.m., Hernando (2-1) takes on Spring Hill National in another do-or-die contest of this double-elimination event.

"That team is going to give us fits," Sims admitted. "If we hit like we're capable of, it'll be a good game."

Big difference

Stewart, who took the loss Saturday in an ugly 15-7 decision versus Wesley Chapel National, threw a much different game this time around, striking out the side in the top of the first.

However, Spring Hill (1-2) pulled ahead 3-1 in the third, when Luke Howard singled home Cameron Volker, then stole home later in the inning.

In the bottom half, Hernando rallied for six runs, including its first two hits of the night, to go in front for good.

With the bases loaded and one out, Stewart helped his own cause with his first of two RBI singles, this one to center field plating Bailey Dowden.

Matt Armstrong, Stewart, Sims and Davis all scored on wild pitches, as Hernando took advantage of four walks and a hit batter in its breakthrough frame.

Sims relieved Stewart on the mound to finish out the fifth and struck out the last four batters he faced, including the final three of the game in the sixth.

"I'm happy to be involved with a great bunch of kids," Spring Hill Manager Manny Voda said. "I told them day one (the coaches) looked at each other, we said 'we have our work cut out for us.'

"By day 14, these guys were ready. But it's baseball. It doesn't matter how well you prepare, how much you practice, sometimes the day doesn't go your way."

Ridge Manor stays alive

Ridge Manor also stayed alive last night, and made league history in the process beating Wesley Chapel American, 9-8.

In improving to 2-1, Ridge Manor set a new mark for wins at this age level. Last season Ridge Manor registered its first win in AA Rookies.

As he did Saturday in a 13-3 win over Sumter, Christopher Griffin tossed a complete game. On Monday with Griffin unavailable, Ridge Manor lost to South Lake, 24-0. Griffin has only one more inning of eligibility for the entire tournament and cannot pitch today.

"He pitched the best I've seen him pitch ever," said his father, Ridge Manor Manager Bryan Griffin. "That's the gutsiest performance I've ever seen for an 8-year-old to go six innings."

Tonight at 6 p.m., Ridge Manor faces the loser of last night's game between South Lake and Wesley Chapel National. The result of that game was unavailable at press time.

Hernando 10, SH American 8
123 456 R H E
SHA 012 230 -- 8 7 3
HYL 106 30X--10 6 5
SHA - Voda, Day (3), Collins (5) and Howard.
HYL - Stewart, Sims (5) and Wilson.
W - Stewart (1-1). L - Day (1-2).
2B - Collins (SHA), Armstrong (HYL).
3B - none.
HR - none.
Records - Spring Hill American (1-2), Hernando (2-1).

DIXIE YOUTH LEAGUE AA ROOKIES (AGES 7-8) ALL-STARS
DISTRICT 6 RECAP
at Anderson Snow Sports Complex

06-07
Ridge Manor 13, Sumter 3 (4 inn.)
South Lake 6, Spring Hill American 4
Wesley Chapel National 15, Hernando 7
Spring Hill National 7, Wesley Chapel American 3
Bushnell 16, Wildwood 2

06-09
SH American 14, Sumter 3
Hernando 13, Wildwood 10
South Lake 24, Ridge Manor 0 (4 inn.)
Bushnell 4, SH National 3