Hardee Hammers Way To District Title

SEBRING - A potent offense and a solid pitching staff paced Hardee to an 11-5 win victory over Sebring in the Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) District 8 softball tournament on Friday night at Max Long Recreational Complex.

The victory gave Hardee a two-game sweep of Sebring and the District 8 championship.

By winning the district championship, Hardee earned a berth in next week's state tournament in Belleview.

"I'm very proud of all the girls," said Hardee coach Jake Carlton. "We've been practicing very hard in the heat and all the work paid off because we held up well. "We're a team because the right fielder is just as important as the pitcher and they know that.

"It's an honor for these parents to let their kids play ball in the summer because they could be on vacation."

After thunder and lightning delayed the start of Thursday night's opening round, a 15-2 Hardee win, it was the Hardee All-Stars that provided the fireworks on Friday night.

Sebring got on the board in the top of the first inning on a bases-loaded walk to Kaylon Johnson that forced in Breonna Smith for a quick 1-0 lead.

Hardee answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, but Sebring bounced back to take a one-run lead in the top of the third inning on a walk to Macy Harris, an error and a pair of ground outs.

Hardee, which had seven hits, roared back in the bottom of the stanza.

Kimberly Derringer put down a bunt and reached third base when the throw went down the right-field line.

Allison Farr reached on an infield hit and Tara McNabb followed with a single to center field to score two runs.

Senida Garcia singled and Hannah Erekson drew a walk to load the bases.

Brooke Dixon lined a single off the third baseman's glove and Hannah Carlton walked to force in another run.

Kristian Judah was hit by a pitch to plate a run and Gabrielle Allen knocked in a run with an infield ground ball that was misplayed for an error to give Hardee a commanding 10-2 lead.

"We swung the bats well and put the ball in play," said coach Carlton. "We've got a good hitting lineup from top to bottom."

Hardee added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Hannah Carlton.

Sebring, which had four hits, refused to quit and stormed back with runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Alexis Goins and Alyssa Rivera.

McNabb, who earned the win with six strikeouts in a complete-game effort, settled down to retire the last Sebring batter to seal the district title for Hardee.

"We're looking forward to the state tournament," said coach Carlton. "I'm excited for the kids and the parents.

"We're going to go up to Belleview, show good sportsmanship and play with Hardee pride."

Dixie Ponytails District 8 Tourney: Lake Placid 7, Sebring 6
SEBRING - Lake Placid held on for a 7-6 win over Sebring on Friday night in the Dixie Ponytails (ages 11-12) District 8 softball tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex.

The winner played Hardee on Saturday night for the district title.