On The Comeback Trail

WILDWOOD - The performance turned in by the Spring Hill National team Thursday against league rival Spring Hill American was below expectations.

On Friday, in an elimination game against Oak Griner in the AAA Majors (ages 11-12) All-Stars District 6 Tournament at Wildwood's Millennium Park, SHN could afford no such letdown again.

There was none.

SH National scored multiple runs in every inning but the third, collecting 12 hits while limiting the Marion County squad to three in posting a 12-0 victory.

SHN advanced to the tournament's final four, with an elimination game against San Antonio scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. Unbeaten SH American went against South Lake in the other 10 a.m. game at Millennium, with the results of those games determining if the contest to be played Saturday afternoon (starting one hour after the conclusion of the latest finishing 10 a.m. game) would be for the district title.

The top two teams in the district will advance to the AAA Majors State Tournament, to be hosted by Ridge Manor.

SHN still has high hopes of making the State Tournament trip. "We've got a rough road to hoe," said SH National Head Coach Rob Gomez. "But it's been that way since we got here.

"The kids came back (from Thursday's 9-3 loss) focused and confident. I just hope they come that way (Saturday)."

Certainly SHN had few problems against Oak Griner, building a 5-0 cushion after two innings and making it 9-0 by the end of the fifth.

Jonathan Brosher and Jason Rybka had doubles to lead the hitting attack, while starter and winning pitcher Jon Waskowitz together with Zach Guerin, Blaine West and Josh Rivera kept Oak Griner scoreless.