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Sebring American Unleashes Offense

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring American’s Brian Lane steals second base as Okeechobee National’s Dyani Nelson reaches for the ball during Friday night’s District 8 game.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: June 7, 2008

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SEBRING — After practicing for more than a month, the Sebring American All-Stars were more than ready to unleash their potent offense on Friday night.

The eight- to 10-year old Sebring Americans banged out 12 hits en route to a 13-8 win over Okeechobee National in the opening round of Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star Tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

Sebring American scored seven runs in the first inning to take control of the game, and catcher Gabe Gomez led the way with three hits and three RBI, while Clint Patrick, Scott Hamilton and Everett Hurst had two hits each.

"We were ready to play tonight," said Sebring American coach Eric Lewis. "We've got a good, steady group of kids and they came out swinging the bats.

"Good players make the coaches look good."

After displaying great glove work to retire Okeechobee National in the top of the first inning, Sebring American went to work.

Patrick led off with a single, stole second base and raced home on Scott Hamilton's double to left-center field. Everett Hurst followed with a single to plate Hamilton and Gomez lined an RBI double to right-center field.

Seth Hamilton then stroked a run-scoring hit and a pair of Okeechobee National errors plated two more runs. Jan Martinez capped the big outburst with an RBI single to score Hunter Martinez for a commanding 7-0 lead.

"I was pleased with our focus and intensity and getting off to a good start gave us a lot of confidence," said Lewis.

Okeechobee National scored two runs in the top of the third inning, but Sebring American answered with two of its own in the bottom of the frame for a 9-2 lead.

Sebring American tacked on three more runs in the fourth, but Okeechobee National batted around in the fifth to score five runs and trim its deficit to 12-8.

Sebring American tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, and then retired Okeechobee National in the top of the sixth inning to seal the district win.

"We've got a solid lineup and good fielders," Lewis said. "We just need to keep our focus and play up to our ability."

The eight-team, double-elimination tournament continues through today, with the championship game slated for noon.

Both the District 8 champion and runner-up advance to the state tournament in Paxton.

Okeechobee American 11, Lake Placid 1
SEBRING — Okeechobee American scored nine runs in the first two innings to overwhelm Lake Placid 11-1 in Friday night's first round of the Pitching Machine All-Stars District 8 tournament at Max Long Complex.

The win moved Okeechobee American into a game against the winner of Saturday's game against Sebring American.

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