Close Call Ends Sebring's Run To World Series

GRAND RIDGE - GRAND RIDGE -- A season that has had its share of ups and downs for the Sebring All-Stars ended on a down note, losing a 10-9 heartbreaker to District 8 rival Okeechobee in the championship finale of the Dixie Junior Boys (age 13) state tournament at John Porter Thomas Park on Wednesday evening.

Down by a run in the final inning, Sebring's Johnathan Knight doubled to left in an attempt to ignite a rally. Buddy Mays' sacrifice bunt moved Knight over to third, but Taylor Townsend's grounder was scooped up by Okeechobee, who alertly threw to home to gun down a streaking Knight, who was called out on a close play at the plate.

Sebring was never able to recover and watched as Okeechobee celebrated for the second time this season at their expense.

In the District 8 tournament, Sebring embarrassed Okeechobee in a 13-1 victory, but lost the final two games to hand the host team the district title.

Sebring was awarded the final state tournament spot because the District 2 team was not able to participate.

The boys in blue had an early one-run lead before Okeechobee exploded for five runs in the second for an 8-3 lead. After each team scored a run in the third, Sebring got back on track, plating three runs in the fourth on a two-run single by Corbin Hoffner and an RBI double by Seth Ablen.

Sebring tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by Alex Griffin that scored Abeln, but Okeechobee scored the go-ahead run in the final frame when Noah Wilcox scored on a single by Will Jackson.

Okeechobee will represent Florida in the upcoming Dixie Junior Boys World Series in Muscle Shoals, Ala beginning August 4.