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Sebring Nationals Scoot Past AP

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park’s Dalton Whitman reaches for the ball while Sebring’s Josh Rivera races for first on Friday during Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star Tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 7, 2008

SEBRING — The Sebring Nationals scored two runs in the first and never looked back on Friday during a 5-2 victory over Avon Park in the opening round of the Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star Tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

Sebring head coach Andrew Bible was pleased with the hard work showed on the field by his team.

"All these kids were the best on their respective teams," Bible said. "The hardest part is getting them to play with each other after playing against each other all season.

"I'm proud that this team came together, hustled and played the way they were capable of playing to get the win."

Sebring jumped on Avon Park from the opening frame, when Josh Rivera cracked a lead-off double into left and scored moments later on a passed ball. Back-to-back singles by Jared Smith and Andrew Carney plated a run to give the home team a 2-0 lead.

After Jonathon Acosta came home on a fielding error to give Sebring a three-run lead, Avon Park got on the board when Josh Ramos doubled and came home on a fielding error to cut the lead to two after four innings of play.

But Sebring stormed back when Brendan Melvin scored on another passed ball. Justin Bickman crushed a triple off the center field fence and trotted home when catcher Jalen Wheelock doubled to the same spot for a 5-1 advantage.

Avon Park plated another run in the fifth on Jacob Regino's RBI single brought home Hunter Vanderpool, but a pair of runners were called out at the plate to end the threat.

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