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North lead grows for St. Petersburg

There are plenty of games to play, but St. Petersburg Post 14 has already distanced itself from the pack in the American Legion A North Division. Post 14 is 11-1 after sweeping four games last weekend against Venice Post 159 and the Sarasota Riverview Baseball Club.

Pitching was the key. Post 14 had four complete games and allowed one run. John Stang (St. Petersburg High/Hillsborough C.C.), Shane Riggs (Northeast), Marcus Liwag (Pinellas Park) and Damione Morley each pitched seven innings for wins.

"We had an incredibly good weekend," Post 14 coach Joe Martin said. "We pitched very well, and we hit very well."

St. Petersburg continues to get solid offensive contributions from Nolan Brannon (St. Petersburg High), Kip Perry (Pinellas Park) and Phillip Catalan (Northeast).

Madeira Beach Post 273 is second in the North Division at 2-4. New Port Richey Post 79 is third at 3-7, the East Lake Baseball Club is 2-6 and Clearwater Post 7 is 1-4.

In the South Division, Venice Post 159 is on top with an 8-5 division record through Wednesday's games. Bradenton Post 24 is second at 7-3, the Sarasota Baseball Club is 2-2, Gulfport Post 125 is 2-3 and the Sarasota Riverview Baseball Club is 2-4.

LEGION B: Unlike legion A teams, which can draw 18-year-old players from several different high schools, legion B is made up of returning players from one high school. Teams are limited to eight players who are 17 years old. The rest are sophomores or juniors.

With that in mind, it's no surprise Dunedin's legion B team is 7-1 and sitting atop its region. The Falcons were 32-1 in the high school season, and, despite graduating eight players, are loaded.

Dunedin has been led offensively by Ryan Harvey (.436), Joey Angelberger (.410) and Danny Martin (.412). Dunedin coach Tom Hilbert said he has used 12 different pitchers.

"This is more laid back than the high school season," Hilbert said. "You get a chance to see how things might shape up for the next season. Who is going to be a leader, who is more vocal. It's a great gauge to get a feel for what the next season will bring. And it keeps these guys playing baseball."

Aside from Dunedin, Clearwater, Countryside, Clearwater Central Catholic, Palm Harbor University, Seminole, St. Petersburg, Shorecrest, Gulfport (Boca Ciega/Lakewood), Mitchell (New Port Richey) and St. Petersburg Catholic also have teams in the region. Tarpon Springs is playing games, but because it didn't get paperwork filed on time, its games do not count in league standings.

While the games might not have as much meaning, natural high school rivalries still exist.

"Sure, it's still baseball and you still want to win," Hilbert said. "But you also want to get the instruction."

PINELLAS PAL: The Blue Jays were 4-1 heading into the championship bracket of the Junior Olympic Tournament in Jupiter.

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