Sebring American Cruises Past AP

Entering the Dixie Pitching Machine (ages 7-8) District 8 Tournament with the reputation as the team to beat, the Sebring American All-Stars proved it on the field with a 17-7 first round win over the Avon Park All-Stars on Saturday at a sweltering Durrah Martin Sports Complex.

With the score tied at four through the first three innings, it seemed like anybody's game, but 12 hits through the final three innings powered Sebring into the winner's bracket of the six-team, double elimination tournament.

An RBI single from Andre Blake gave Avon Park an early 2-0 lead after one inning, before Sebring tied it at two in the top of the second behind the first of two Josh Rivera triples and a run scoring single from Dayvon Terry.

Tyson Bentley put Avon Park back on top in the bottom of the frame, driving in Zachary Miller and Javier Arango with a hard-hit triple into center field.

Sebring's Trent Lewis responded in the top of the third with a two-run triple of his own that plated L.J. Daniels and Danny Cordoso to even the score at four.

After a stout defensive outing, Rivera and Jorge Martinez both had RBI triples, while Carson Angell and Terry also picked up base hits in the top of the fourth to give Sebring it first lead at 9-4.

Miller drove in Xavier Holdman with a single into left field and Luke Townsend sent one all the way to the left-center fence to plate Trey Pollitt-Hill, but the Sebring defense stiffened again to keep the lead at three.

Singles from Angell and Terry followed by a crushing double from Martinez gave Sebring American a little more cushion with a 13-6 lead.

Avon Park's Dalton Whitman cut the lead back to five in the bottom of the fifth, but Desmond Gains' RBI single in the top of the sixth made it 17-7, invoking the 10-run mercy rule.

Sebring American's Rivera, without a doubt, had the biggest day at the plate going 3-for-3 with two triples, a double and five RBI.

Jorge Martinez also had a big day, reaching base four times while picking up three RBI with a triple and a double.

Avon Park's Holdman finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and three stolen bases and Zachary Miller finished 2-for-2 with 2 RBI.

Avon Park 25, Okeechobee National 11

Following the opening loss to Sebring, Avon Park bounced back in fashion with a 25-11 win over Okeechobee National in a loser's bracket game late Saturday afternoon.

The Avon Park win eliminates Okeechobee National from the double-elimination tournament.

Sebring American 11, Okeechobee American 10

The Sebring American All-Stars were on the verge of picking up a loss in the Dixie Pitching Machine (ages 7-8) District 8 tournament late Saturday afternoon at Durrah Martin Sports Complex.

Down by two in the bottom of the sixth to Okeechobee American, Josh Rivera and Dayvon Terry doubled to set up Jorge Martinez' game-winning single as Sebring American remained undefeated with an 11-10 come-from-behind win.

The win kept Sebring American undefeated and moved them into the championship game on Sunday against the team that comes out of the loser's bracket.

Results from the championship game were not available at press time and for the complete story and pictures from the title game, be sure to check out Tuesday's Highlands Today sports section.