Sebring storms past West Volusia National

The juggernaut that is the Sebring All-Stars kept rolling in impressive fashion with a dominating 13-0 win over West Volusia National in the Dixie Youth AAA (ages 9-10) state baseball tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex on Sunday night.

Sean Osceola led the way with a grand slam, while Gabe Gomez drove in three runs as the Sebring All-Stars remained undefeated with the mercy-rule win in the double-elimination tournament.

"All of our players are contributing and that makes us hard to beat," said Sebring AAA coach Cesar Martinez. "It's like a big pie and every player is a slice that has to do their part.

"We're swinging the bats well, Sean had a great game and when we do the little things right we're a very good team."

Sebring had a chance to jump out front in the bottom of the first inning against West Volusia National, but left the bases loaded.

Osceola hurled a pair of hitless innings with one strikeout to stifle the West Volusia National offense.

The potent Sebring attack came to life in the bottom of the second inning.

Hunter Martinez beat out a ground ball to shortstop to open the inning and Dalton Baker's bunt was thrown wildly past first base to allow Martinez to score and Baker to reach third base.

Scott Hamilton's sacrifice fly to right field plated Baker. Seth Hamilton reached on an infield error, Jace Lewis walked and Gomez lined a two-run single to left-center field.

Trent Lewis plated Gomez with an RBI double to left field and Osceola lined a run-scoring single to cap the uprising to put Sebring on top 6-0.

Everett Hurst tossed a scoreless inning in relief of Osceola and the Sebring offense went back to work in the bottom of the third inning.

Scott Hamilton walked, Gomez singled and Trent Lewis walked to load the bases.

Osceola followed with a blast over the center-field fence for a grand slam homer and Sebring tacked on three more runs to take a commanding 13-0 lead over West Volusia National.

"West Voluisa National decided to pitch to Sean and teams don't usually do that," Coach Martinez said. "He made them pay and he's our horse, but this win was a team effort and that's what we need to do every game."

Scott Hamilton came on to pitch the top of the fourth inning, and the diminutive right-hander retired West Volusia National without any damage and the contest was called because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Sebring played West Seminole on Monday night in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Results were not available at press time, but for the complete results and photos from the game, be sure to read Wednesday's Highlands Today sports section.