TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Streaks Storming Through Bracket

Contributed photo

Johnathan Knight smacks a triple to the wall on Tuesday during the Sebring 14-U AAU team's final pool play game in Lake Buena Vista.

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRIAN GJURGEVICH Highlands Today

Published: August 1, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Nathan Greene smacked a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning on Wednesday to score a hustling Johnathan Knight and lead Sebring to a 6-5 victory over Legends Gold out of Massachusetts at the AAU 14-and-under Division 2 National Tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The second-round victory earned Sebring a game against the Massachusetts Pride, which was played on Thursday. As of press time, the Streaks led 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth, when the game was delayed by rain. See highlandstoday.com/sports for result.

"We're looking pretty good right now," said Sebring assistant coach Ray Griffin. "The bats haven't really come alive like we thought they would, but we've made some good plays and had some great pitching."

In Wednesday's game, Greene, Knight and Seth Abeln each had two hits, while Okeechobee product Mark Weir smacked a two-run double and Felix Basulto and Corbin Hoffner added hits. Lake Placid's Dylan Callahan led the team on the mound with four strikeouts in five innings, while Timmy Farrel threw three solid innings to keep Sebring in the game.

"Our pitching's come through really well and our guys are playing great defense," said Sebring head coach George Townsend. "We just need to get those stricks alive."

On Thursday, Abeln, Knight and Hoffner each had two hits while Callahan added a single and Basulto knocked a double. Hoffner and Weir, meanwhile, were strong on the mound to keep Sebring ahead by four with three outs to go before rain washed away play.

If Sebring holds on to win, they'll play at 10:30 a.m. today in the Stadium and will be the only undefeated team in the Classic bracket. Townsend said his team is looking forward to "making amends" for their first loss on the Atlanta Braves' spring turf.

"We've been able to produce some runs through smart base-running and singles," Griffin said. "We're working hard to get back to the stadium."

Townsend agreed.

"We're playing some small ball and stealing base to try and manufacture runs," Townsend said. "Hopefully, our bats come alive and we can bring this Classic title home to Sebring."

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT