AP Rallies, Rebounds From Tough Loss

One day after suffering a heartbreaking loss on a controversial sixth-inning call, the Avon Park All-Stars took matters into their own hands at the Dixie Youth Majors (11-12) state tournament on Sunday.

AP scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to rally from a two-run deficit and keep their state title hopes alive, as Tyrone Perry smacked a home run and Kyle Kelly pitched lights-out to close out the game and hand Avon Park a 6-4 victory over Hiland Park of Panama City.

"It was a major comeback win," said Avon Park assistant coach Pete Zeegers. "It's a testament to our boys - we were feeling low and it was big for us to come back and win it in the last inning."

Especially after a tough loss in the team's opener: A controversial call in the top of the sixth inning spoiled a stellar pitching performance by Tyrone Perry on Saturday, as AP fell 1-0 to Liberty County in the opening round.

After Liberty's first batter walked in the top of the sixth, a shot off the wall was played perfectly by the Avon Park defense, leaving two Liberty runners standing on second base. The ensuing throw to first base resulted in a tag, but allowed the Liberty runner to scamper to third.

The throw to third, however, sailed over the AP third baseman's head, and the umpire ruled the Liberty runner was obstructed on his way home and awarded the game's lone run to Liberty County.

"You hate to see the umpire make a controversial call in a situation like that and give a team a run in such a close game," Zeegers said.

Perry had 12 strikeouts, and after Liberty's leadoff batter reached base in the first inning, Perry was perfect until the sixth.

After the run was awarded to Liberty, Perry calmly struck out the next two batters, setting up a near-comeback for Avon Park in the bottom of the frame.

AP led off the inning with a hit batsman and had runners on second and third, but a heads-up play in the infield by Liberty and a clutch strikeout ended the game.

"I thought we had the game-winning hit," Zeegers said, noting that Jose Torres, Cody Pearlman and Mark Devlin each had hits for Avon Park. "Our boys turned a double play up the middle, caught some nice balls off their bats and our infielders and outfielders made some great plays. And Tyrone Perry pitched a great game -- he was dominant."

Perry took his domination from the mound to the batters' box on Sunday, following up a Mark Devlin double in the top of the first with a mammoth home run over the right-field wall to give Avon Park a 2-0 lead.

Hiland Park rallied for four runs over the next five innings to take what seemed to be a comfortable 4-2 lead heading into the sixth, but that's when Avon Park refused to be eliminated quietly.

Jose Torres led off the inning with a single to left, followed by a Cody Pearlman fielder's choice and Ryan Dick base hit to left. With first and second and one out, Devlin hit into a fielder's choice, leaving AP down to its last out with first and second and Tyrone Perry at the plate. Perry knocked a single, scoring Dick, and Trey Perry followed with a line-drive double off the left-field wall.

"Trey hit it so hard, Tyrone couldn't score from third," Zeegers said, noting Devlin scampered home on the play to tie the game at four with runners on second and third.

That's when Bree Fatheree knocked a hard grounder to second, and, rushing down the line, caused the Hiland second baseman to throw into the dirt for an error, scoring both Perrys and giving Avon Park a 6-4 lead.

Kelly then went back to work on the mound, and after a leadoff single by Hiland, snared a comebacker and started a crucial 1-6-3 double play, much to the delight of the AP faithful.

"All our fans were jacked up," said Zeegers.

Kelly then fanned the final batter, securing the victory for Avon Park and ensuring them more life in the tournament. They'll face the winner of Paxton and Wahneta at 6 p.m. today.

"We're all really happy right now," Zeegers said, noting the team's defense has been stellar throughout both games. "It's a credit to our coaches and players for staying fired up and believing we could get it done."

DIXIE MAJORS STATE TOURNAMENT

Saturday: Liberty County 1, Avon Park 0

Sunday: Avon Park 6, Hiland Park 4

Today: Avon Park vs. Paxton/Wahneta, 6 p.m.

See highlandstoday.com/sports after the game for result