Streaks Storm To AAU National Title

After two come-from behind wins, an extra-inning battle and one game that took nearly 12 hours to complete, Sebring assistant coach Ray Griffin was more than happy to see a lack of drama during Saturday's Classic Bracket championship game at the AAU 14-and-under Division 2 National Tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Streaks, who were the only remaining undefeated team in the 16-team tournament, didn't take long to show they intended to stay that way: They scored 11 runs in the first inning en route to an 18-3 thrashing of the Madison Jaguars, earning the Sebring team a national championship trophy.

"When we scored 11 in the first, I was so relieved," Griffin said. "If it had been another nail-biter, I don't think I would've lasted through it."

It was the first national championship of any kind for a Sebring team, according to Griffin, and an extra-special achievement for a team that got together less than a year ago.

"Most of the teams we played have been together for years and have been playing AAU travel ball since they were eight years old," Griffin said. "To pull it all together for nationals was a huge challenge, and it was amazing they got it done."

Mark Weir had four hits in the final game to solidify his spot on the All-Tournament team, while Seth Abeln had three hits and "just about everybody else" contributed offense, according to Sebring head coach George Townsend.

"We finally had a breakout, and our sticks got hot," he said. "The kids were just thrilled to be there and win the thing."

Dylan Callahan started the game but left after two innings with a pulled muscle. Nathan Greene then picked up where Callahan left off, pitching five solid innings. Johnathan Knight, meanwhile, kept the offense going with two hits and an inside-the-park home run.

"The kids are just tickled to death," Townsend said, noting the tournament was the last of the season for the 14-U crew. "We were sure we could play with anyone if we played our kind of ball, and the more we won, the more we started to feel it.

"We knew as long as we played Sebring ball, we didn't have to worry about the other teams."