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Sebring Stays Unbeaten, Knocks Out AP

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's Josh Gomez scores as Avon Park's Steven Flowers tries for the tag in the sixth inning of Sunday's Dixie 13-year-old boys District 8 tournament at Okeechobee.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: June 30, 2008

OKEECHOBEE — It took a little longer for the Sebring All-Stars' offense to show up against Avon Park in Sunday's third round of the Dixie 13-year-old boys District 8 tournament at Okeechobee Sports Complex.

But it was better late then never, as Mark Greenauer's homer and Justin Long's two-run single gave Sebring a come-from-behind 5-3 win over Avon Park.

"We're really struggling with the bats right now," said Sebring coach Cesar Martinez. "But we hung in there and got just enough offense to pull out the win.

"Our pitching kept us in the game and we got some key hits at the right time."

The loss eliminated Avon Park from the double-elimination tournament, while the victory moved unbeaten Sebring into the championship game against once-beaten Okeechobee on Monday night (see Wednesday's Highlands Today for complete coverage).

Both the District 8 winner and runner-up advance to the state tournament in Marianna, but Sebring wants to go as the champion.

"We know Okeechobee has a good ballclub with some big pitchers that throw the ball hard," said coach Martinez. "We have to battle hard and play as a team if we want to accomplish our goal."

Avon Park, which had three hits, took the lead in the top of the fourth inning.

MJ Rhoden drew a leadoff walk off left-hander Garrett Martinez, and Jonny Baldridge and Billy Rogers walked to load the bases.

Alfredo Negrin came in and walked a batter to force in Rhoden and Bubba Boston came in and walked the first batter he faced to force in Baldridge for a 2-0 lead.

Lane Crosson then flied out to right field and Rogers was gunned down at the plate on a strong throw by Greenauer.

Sebring, which had seven hits, answered in the bottom of the frame as Greenauer blasted a Rogers fastball high over the left-center field fence to trim the deficit to 2-1.

Sebring finally broke through against Rogers in the bottom of the sixth.

Josh Gomez lined a leadoff single, Greenauer singled and Cody Cook followed with a fielder's choice to plate Gomez with the tying run.

Cook attempted to steal second base and when the throw got away, Greenauer alertly raced home.

Justin Acevedo reached on a fielder's choice, Boston singled and Long plated both runners with a bloop single down the right-field line for a 5-2 lead.

Avon Park refused to quit, as Anthony Caruthers lined a leadoff double to centerfield and scored on a pair of ground outs to trim the lead to two runs.

But Boston, who picked up the win with 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, got the last Avon Park batter to ground out to second to end the game.

"We knew we'd have our hands full with Avon Park," said coach Martinez. "Anytime a Sebring and Avon Park team play, you know it's going to be a battle."

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