DIXIE AAA MINORS BASEBALL
Area pundits and coaches alike have made no bones at who is the team to beat in this week’s 16-team, double-elimination format Florida AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All-Stars State Tournament in Highlands County – West Seminole.
Through Monday night’s 24 games, only two teams are left unbeaten: Sebring (3-0) and West Seminole (3-0) at the Durrah Martin Sports Complex.
Sebring reached round four by surviving West Volusia in eight innings, 2-1; thumping Franklin County, 12-1, and edging Hardee, 3-2.
By comparison, West Seminole has crushed the opposition. In round one, West Seminole bopped Bartow, 10-2, pummeled Port St. Joe in 3 1/2 innings, 12-1, and tattooed Spring Hill American on Monday night in four innings, 14-4.
The majority of this West Seminole team previously captured Florida’s AA Rookies (ages 7-8) State Championship and is averaging 13 runs per game entering Tuesday night’s winner’s bracket tilt against Sebring. With two more wins, West Seminole will reach Thursday’s title round.
Recapping Spring Hill’s run
Until Monday night’s rout, Spring Hill American was a perfect 7-0, including a pair of state victories on Saturday and Sunday.
In round one against host Avon Park on Saturday, Spring Hill American’s Tyler Adler snapped 4-all tie with a two-run single in a 6-4 win.
Offensively, Hailey Smith went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
On the mound, Reagan Huden pitched three innings allowing two unearned runs and one walk against five strikeouts. Huden was named thee game’s Most Valuable Player.
Hunter Reid worked one inning and received the win.
Smith worked the final two scoreless frames to earn the save allowing one hit against two strikeouts.
Sunday’s second-round game featured Spring Hill spanking Paxton, 9-1.
Spring Hill pitchers Tyler Adler, Trevor Adler and Hunter Reid combined on a no-hitter. Each pitcher allowed one walk as the trio combined for eight strikeouts.
At the plate, Tyler Adler collected two hits while Trevor Adler cracked an RBI double.
Trevor Adler was named the game’s MVP.
Logan Blevans added a 2-run single while Andrew Bedard smacked two hits and pushed home two runs batted in.
Smith chipped in a single and a double and had 1 RBI while Huden clubbed two hits and David Abbadessa added a safety.
Spring Hill American skipper Joe Abbadessa pointed out how crucial the first two wins were.
“The first win was big,” Abbadessa stressed. “Look how tough a road Avon Park has had since that loss. Their road was certainly more difficult due to the (first-round) loss.”
No longer unbeaten
On Monday night, Andrew Bedard had a single and an RBI and Justin Fribbley cracked a hit and enjoyed 2 RBI but Spring Hill American’s seven-game win streak was halted via the 10-run mercy rule by West Seminole after four innings.
“There’s no doubt West Seminole is the best team we’ve faced. They’re a good ballclub top to bottom,” emphasized Coach Abbadessa. “How good are they? On Monday, they threw a kid who hadn’t thrown before. All he did was throw gas and a he had a good curve. To me, the difference between both teams is their lineup. They hit two homers against us by just flicking their bats. That’s impressive.”
Can Spring Hill slay Goliath, err, West Seminole?
“If we play our game, we can make it a much better game,” replied Coach Abbadessa. “Right now, our focus is on Bartow.”
Spring Hill American was scheduled to play Bartow on Tuesday night.
“First of all, Bartow is nothing like West Seminole,” described Coach Abbadessa. “West Seminole has a team of mashers. Bartow is young team that is fundamentally sound. They’re quick on the bases and they’ll try to force the issue.”
Which Spring Hill American players have elevated their game at states?
“Logan (Blevans) is hitting a lot more solid than he did in districts,” answered Coach Abbadessa. “And I’m very pleased with Hunter’s (Reid) pitching. Really the rest of the team has been as consistent as they were at Wildwood (for the District 6 Championship). Like any coach, sure, I’d like us to get some more two-hit hits, who wouldn’t? We’re focusing on putting the ball in play when we really need it.”
How tough has the competition been at Avon Park?
“I’m really surprised with the big gap in competition here,” Abbadessa said. “West Seminole is hands down better than anyone here. There’s no doubt about that. But there’s also a huge talent gap among the 16 teams. We left some teams at home that in my eyes could have played here and won here.”
Dixie Baseball AAA Minors (ages 9-10) All-Stars State Tournament Recap
at Avon Park’s Durrah Martin Sports Complex
07-19:
Hardee vs. Lake Placid, 6 p.m.
Spring Hill American vs. Bartow, 6 p.m.
Sebring vs. West Seminole, 8 p.m.
07-18:
West Seminole 14, Spring Hill American 4 (4 Inns.)
Bartow 16, Franklin County 3
Avon Park 6, Wesley Chapel American 5
Paxton 17, Lake Placid 1
Port St. Joe 3, West Volusia 1
Sebring 3, Hardee 2
Bartow 16, Avon Park 1 (4 Inns.)
Lake Placid 11, Port St. Joe 6
07-17:
Spring Hill American 9, Paxton 1
Hardee 13, Wesley Chapel American 6
Sebring 12, Franklin County 1 (4 Inns.)
West Seminole 12, Port St. Joe 1 (3 1/2 Inns.)
Lake Placid 4, Holmes County 0
West Volusia 13, Chipley 1 (3 1/2 Inns.)
Bartow 3, South Walton 2
Avon Park 11, Havana 1 (5 Inns.)
07-16:
Spring Hill American 6, Avon Park 4
Wesley Chapel American 12, Holmes County 1
Hardee 11, Lake Placid 1
Franklin County 16, Chipley 6 (5 Inns.)
Sebring 2, West Volusia 1 (8 Inns.)
Port St. Joe def. South Walton, n/a.
West Seminole 10, Bartow 2
Paxton 10, Havana 0
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
