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Highlands Today

It's Time For Redemption

SEBRING AIMS TO BREAK LOSING STREAK TO OKEECHOBEE

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Sebring players play flips on Wednesday during practice at Max Long Recreational Complex. The 14-year-old Dixie Boys team had to move into the batting cages for practice because of inclement weather.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 27, 2008

SEBRING — Memories don't die hard for Seth Abeln, who remembers all too well those bitter feelings after Okeechobee bested Sebring last year.

"Those memories are still fresh in my mind," Abeln said. "We had no losses coming into our game against Okeechobee for a chance to win the state title and they came back and beat us.

"We're a different team this year, but a few of us were on that squad and we would like nothing more than a little payback."

Abeln, along with Zach Osha and Gunnar Westergom, were members of last year's team and will have a chance at redemption when Sebring kicks off the Dixie Boys (Age 14) District 8 tournament against Okeechobee on Saturday.

Last year, the then undefeated Sebring All-Stars were in a prime position to vault themselves to a state title, but Okeechobee foiled those plans, winning 4-3 in the first game and 10-9 in the elimination match in last year's Dixie Junior Boys (age 13) state tournament in Grand Ridge.

Okeechobee managed to defeat Sebring four-straight games to wrestle the District 8 and state titles from the boys in blue.

"I still can't believe what happened last year in districts," Abeln said. "We embarrassed [Okeechobee] in the first game [13-1] and I think we were a bit overconfident and they took advantage of that."

Osha is happy that Sebring drew host Okeechobee in the first round and says his team has been working extra-hard in preparation for the match-up.

"Last year, I don't think we played with much heart after beating them so bad in the first game," Osha said. "This season we want to come out on fire like I know we're capable and send them to the loser's bracket."

Sebring head coach Shon Abeln says that practices have been 'hit or miss' due to the weather, but that his team is fired up to play.

"We've been practicing every day when the weather allows us," Abeln said. "This is Dixie tournament time in Florida so you have to expect the rains to come.
"What it boils down to is that we're ready to play and hope to get off to a good start."

Abeln explained that Okeechobee could have an even stronger team than last season, with several players already making a splash at the varsity level in high school.

"[Okeechobee] lost only two players from last year's team," Ablen said. "But they added two kids that are supposed to be really good players. They're going to be tough to beat and I'm hoping we can pull together as a team and surprise them on their home field."

The Sebring team that'll take the field against Okeechobee on Saturday will have a much different look than last year's hot hitting squad that looked to overpower opposing teams with the long ball.

"We're solid up and down the line-up," Abeln said. "There isn't a weak spot for opposing pitchers to focus on. Any kid going up to the plate can hurt you and that's the kind of team I wanted. I want teams to have to pitch to everyone."

Team speed is at a premium for Sebring and makes up for the lack of power, as the home run threat isn't as prominent this season, but it's pitching is the real strength of this team.

"We've got eight kids that can pitch on this team and pitch effectively," Abeln said. "The whole look of our team changes depending on who's on the mound for us."

Seth Abeln, lefty Westergom and Tommy Bertoniere are the three main starters for Sebring and all have different looks they can throw at opposing teams.

Abeln has a sure fire fastball and a solid change-up, while Westergom's accuracy with his multi-pitch repertoire makes him an imposing figure on the mound.

Bertoniere will give the opposition the most problems, as the 14-year-old hurler is ambidextrous, meaning he can pitch lefty or righty depending on the make-up of the team he's facing.

"I've never had the luxury of having a kid who can pitch with both hands," Abeln said. "He's better with his left but is very accurate with his right. He's going to give team's plenty of problems."

Changes in the rules regarding pitching may give Sebring an edge in that department heading into the tournament.

The new rules state that a pitcher who throws 45 pitches in a game has to receive 30 hours of rest. The maximum pitches a kid can throw in a game is 95, which alters the strategy of every team.

"That really prevents team's from riding one pitcher all the way to the title," Abeln said. "That's why we've developed so many kids to be able to come in and pitch for us. We've got eight kids with pitching experience and I think that gives us an advantage as far as strategy and options going into the tournament."

But pitching strategy aside, Abeln believes his team is primed to make a serious run at the district title and understands that he can't let his team get caught up in past grudges.

"[Sebring] is a new team from last year," Abeln said. "Many of the kids on this team weren't witnesses to those games, so we need to just come out and play our game. I want to win no matter who we're playing."

Seth Abeln summed the focus of him and his team heading into the tournament.
"We've all got good attitudes and understand what we have to do to win," Abeln said. "We should've won last season, but that's over and done with.
"I just want to come out and kick some butt."

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