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Bound For State

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Players and coaches from the Sebring American All-Stars are all smiles after winning the Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star tournament on Sunday at Max Long Recreational Complex. The team advances to the state tournament in Paxton later this month.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: June 9, 2008

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SEBRING – The Sebring American team was the favorite heading into the Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

After going undefeated through the six team, double-elimination tournament, Sebring American proved they were the best squad by blasting Okeechobee American 14-7 on Sunday afternoon to win the district championship and a berth in the state tournament in Paxton.

"I'm so proud of all the kids because they worked hard and earned this championship," said Sebring American head coach Eric Lewis. "We've got twelve tough kids that make good baseball decisions.

"They were steady in all five games we played and the way we swung the bats and played defense was outstanding."

Okeechobee American, which also earned a trip to the state tournament with their runner-up finish, jumped on top with a run in the first inning of Sunday's championship game.

Sebring American, which banged out 12 hits, evened the score in the bottom of the frame when Scott Hamilton lined a one-out double to right-center field and scored when the ball was misplayed for a two-base error.

Okeechobee American, which had nine hits, scored a run in the second and added two more in the top of the third inning to take a 4-1 lead.

Sebring American answered with a run in the bottom of the third and then roared back to take the lead in the fourth inning.

Everett Hurst got things started with a leadoff single, stole second base and raced home when a Gabe Gomez bunt was misplayed for an error.

Gomez stole second base and scored when Seth Hamilton's ground ball was booted for an error.

Dalton Baker followed with a hard-hit ball that was misplayed, allowing Hamilton to score.

Baker stole second and third base and scored on a ground out to give Sebring American a 6-4 lead.

Okeechobee American refused to fold and managed to score two runs in the top of the fifth to knot the score at 6.

Sebring American wasn't about to let the district title slip though their hands and came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the frame.

Scott Hamilton reached on an infield error and Hurst lined a single to left field.

Gomez put down a perfect bunt to load the bases with one out.

Seth Hamilton grounded out to first to plate the first run and Baker's ground ball was mishandled to score another run.

Run-scoring hits by Hunter and Jan Martinez plated two more runs and Clint Patrick and Scott Hamilton, up for the second time in the inning, capped the outburst with a two-run double to right-center field for a 14-6 lead.

"The kids showed a lot of character by coming back after Okeechobee tied the game," said Lewis. "We didn't get nervous or waver and I'm proud of the way we responded."

Okeechobee American managed to score a run in the last inning, but the last batter grounded out and the Sebring American players and coaches began to celebrate their district championship.

"We practiced hard to get ready for this tournament and it showed with the way we played," said Lewis. "We played the way I thought we'd play and now we've got to get ready for the state tournament."

The state tournament begins June 28th in Paxton, which is in the Florida panhandle.

"We're going to take a week off and let the kids rest and enjoy themselves," said Lewis. "Then we're going to start practicing for the state tournament because this team has the ability and talent to contend for the title.

"We've got to prove it on the field, but I think we have as good a chance as any other team."

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