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Sebring Hammers East Lakeland

MARK PINSON/Highlands Today

Sebring's Trey Frazier steals second base as East Lakeland shortstop Kevin Barthle waits for the throw and second baseman Bradey Jarvis backs up the play in the first inning of Saturday's Dixie AAA state tournament in Lakeland.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: July 6, 2008

LAKELAND — It took a couple of innings for the Sebring hitters to adjust to the soft tosses of East Lakeland right-hander Zach Malvasia in Saturday's opening round of the Dixie AAA (ages 9-10) state tournament in Lakeland.

But once the boys in black and blue got dialed in, it became a game of chuck-and-duck for Malvasia and the rest of the East Lakeland pitching staff as Sebring, led by Seth Cannady's three RBI, banged out 13 hits en route to a 16-2 romp over the host team.

"It took us awhile to adjust to the speed of the East Lakeland pitcher because he just kind of loops it in there," said Sebring coach Bobby Cannon. "Slow pitchers give us trouble because we aren't patient at the plate.

"But once we settled down, we swung at some good pitches, put the ball in play and scored some runs."

The win moved Sebring into a winner's bracket game against Hardee on Sunday afternoon, which beat Calhoun County on Saturday in the first round of the 12-team, double-elimination tournament.

Results from the game were not available at press time, but be sure to check out Tuesday's Highlands Today for the complete story.

Sebring started its barrage of hits in the second inning.

Cannady, who went 3-for-3, led off with a single to left field, Nick Staffieri singled and a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position.

A ground ball by Gerig Blackman was misplayed, allowing Cannady and Staffieri to score.

Jordan Austin singled and Adam Greenslade followed with a two-run single to center field for a 4-0 lead.

Sebring added to its lead in the third inning.

Connor Cook walked, Trey Frazier singled and a wild pitch by Malvasia moved the runners into scoring position.

Cannady drilled a single to center to plate Cook and Frazier for a commanding 6-0 lead.

Sebring right-hander Cook, who allowed just two hits, breezed through the East Lakeland batting order the first two innings to pick up the win, while left-hander Jason Cannon hurled a scoreless inning of relief.

"Our pitchers did a good job for the most part," said coach Cannon. "We got in a few jams, but were able to get out of them without giving up the big hit."

Sebring put the game away in the top of the fifth inning.

Frazier reached on an error, Jimmy Peck doubled and Cannady walked to load the bases.

Staffieri drew a base-on-balls from Malvasia to force in Frazier.

Steven Beach came on in relief and walked two batters to force in two more runs.

Colby Starling-Smoak came in and Blackman greeted him with an RBI single.

Austin ripped a two-run double to left-center field and Frazier, up for the second time in the inning, singled to drive in another run to cap the 10-run explosion for a 16-0 lead.

""I thought we came out real flat and without a lot of emotion," said coach Cannon. "But overall, I'm real pleased with our effort at the plate and in the field.

"We just need to be ready to play from the start."

The matchup with Hardee provides Sebring with a familiar opponent for the second round.

"We know about Hardee because we played against them in a warm-up tournament," said coach Cannon. "We know how they play and I think if we come out and play our game and stay focused we're going to be hard to beat."

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