Clewiston Bats Burn Avon Park

OKEECHOBEE - Clewiston's bats were as hot as the weather in Saturday's game against Avon Park in the opening-round of the Dixie 14-year-old boys District 8 tournament at the Okeechobee Sports Complex.

Clewiston, which banged out eight hits, was led by third baseman Tyler Yebba, who went 3 for 4 with three RBI and Trey Pruitt, who scored two runs in an 11-3 victory.

The win moved Clewiston into a winners' bracket game against Okeechobee on Sunday night, which beat Sebring 2-1 on Saturday night.

The loss dropped Avon Park into an elimination game against Sebring on Sunday afternoon. See highlandstoday.com/sports and Tuesday's Highlands Today for complete coverage.

Clewiston got rolling early against Avon Park by putting up five runs in the top of the first inning.

Mitchell Roland started for Avon Park, but gave way to right-hander Raymond Aguilar after retiring just one Clewiston hitter.

Clewiston tallied another run in the second inning, but Avon Park got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame.

Aquilar lined a leadoff double off the centerfield fence, stole third base and raced home on a ground out by Mitchell Guerna to trim its deficit to 6-1.

Clewiston added to its lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Yebba and moved ahead 10-1 in the fifth inning as Yebba lined a two-run single to right field.

That was more than enough support for Pruitt, as the left-hander tossed 3 2/3 innings of one-hit ball to earn the win.

Avon Park, which had three hits, scored single runs in the final two innings, but Yebba, who pitched the last inning, retired the last batter on a line-out to end the game.

The winner of the District 8 tournament advances to the Dixie Junior Boys (age 14) state tournament in Marianna.