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Publix Pummels Alan Jay

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Publix hurler Tommy Bertoniere earned the win with three innings of three-hit ball against Alan Jay in Dixie Boys action on Friday night at Max Long Complex.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: May 3, 2008

SEBRING — After suffering through a tough season last year, the Publix team has shown to be a much different club in this year's Dixie Boys Baseball League.

With third baseman Jared Cannon and shortstop Shon Abeln leading the way with three RBI each, Publix overcame an early deficit to beat Alan Jay 14-4 in Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) action on Friday night at Max Long Recreational Complex.

The impressive win kept Publix unbeaten at 7-0 midway through the season.

"We struggled last year, but we had most of our players coming back," said Publix coach Shon Abeln. "Those kids gained a lot of experience and I had an exceptional draft. "We've got good pitching, solid fielding and when we swing the bats, we're a tough team."

Publix, which had 10 hits, got things rolling in the bottom of the first inning.

Second baseman Alfredo Negrin led off with an infield single, stole second base and moved to third base on Gunnar Westergom's infield single.

Abeln grounded out, but the speedy Negrin raced home on the play, and Westergom scored on an Alan Jay error for a 2-0 lead.

Alan Jay, which dropped to 3-4, answered in the top of the second.

Zach Osha walked, Kyler Hodge lined a single to center field and Johnny Vega put down a bunt to load the bases with one out.

Slade Copeland grounded out to score Osha and Grey Lawrence came through with a two-out hit to score Hodge.

Tory Pringle followed with an RBI single, and another run scored on a bases-loaded walk to put Alan Jay on top 4-2 heading to the bottom of the second.

Publix, however, came right back.

Matt Wilkerson singled, Justin Acevedo was hit by a pitch and Justin Long sacrificed the runners into scoring position.

Negrin worked Hodge for a walk to load the bases and Westergom drew a base-on-balls to force in a run.

Abeln followed with a line drive to right field that was misplayed, allowing three runs to score and the fleet-footed Abeln to reach third base.

Tommy Bertoniere singled to right to plate Abeln, and eventually came around to score to give Publix an 8-4 lead.

"Tommy is a heck of an athlete," Abeln said. "He can pitch right or left-handed, is a good outfielder and can swing the bat.

"We're well balanced and tough to pitch to because everyone of these kids can hit the ball."

Publix kept the pressure on in the third inning, as Abeln and Bertoniere singled in runs.

Cannon capped the inning with a bases-clearing, three-run double to left-center field off of reliever Kyle Yarbrough for a commanding 14-4 lead.

That was more than enough support for Bertoniere, who earned the win with three innings of three-hit ball.

The left-hander walked three and struck out three, before Westergom came on to finish the last two innings in the game that was called because of the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth inning.

"Tommy is good from either side," Abeln said. "He did a good job tonight and Gunnar came in and had a solid effort.

"We're blessed to have good pitching depth and the toughest part of my job is trying to figure out the starting lineup."

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