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ST. PETERSBURG - Windows of opportunity open and close quickly when a hot pitcher is on the mound. Cross Bayou learned the tough way, as Northeast defended its District 5 All-Star Tournament championship Thursday with a 5-1 win.
Making his first championship game start, Northeast's Matt Sheddan held Cross Bayou to one hit in a game completed in less than 80 minutes. Sheddan had seven strikeouts and got five outs on comebackers.
"He was throwing the ball so hard they were having a hard time getting around on it," Northeast coach Robert Luke said.
Sheddan retired 11 consecutive batters heading into the fifth when Cross Bayou got a chance to break through. With one out Donzel Redding reached on an error, followed by Devin Hernandez's bloop single to break up the no-hitter. Redding scored on a ground ball by Colby Bowen, cutting Northeast's lead to 2-1.
With Hernandez on third, Sheddan struck out Chris Winiecki.
Northeast added three insurance runs in the fifth off J.C. Fortunato. Christian Colangelo scored on a double by David Edwards. A triple by Sheddan chased home Edwards.
"Losing the first game and playing almost every night of the week is a lot of pressure," Cross Bayou coach Randy Rivas said. "I'm tired as a coach."
Northeast advances for the second straight year to the sectional tournament, which begins July 19 at Oldsmar.
JUNIOR SOFTBALL: Seminole completed a two-game sweep with a 4-1 win over Meadowlawn/Azalea to claim the District 5 championship. Brittany Phillips hit a line-drive double into centerfield to drive in two for Seminole in the third. Jenna Arnal drove in Ashlee Heirman in the sixth. Lyndsey Andree pitched six shutout innings with five strikeouts for the win. Seminole advances to the sectional tournament July 19 at Oldsmar.
In District 12, Melissa Melone hit a two-run double and Lauren Jurco earned the win in Palm Harbor's 11-1 victory over West Pasco.
MAJOR SOFTBALL: Sarah Broeseker got the win as Safety Harbor beat Dunedin 11-1. Wednesday Kaitlyn Santom, Maddie O'Brien and Gia Tomossone had multiple hits to help Palm Harbor defeat Oldsmar/East Lake 14-4.
MAJOR BASEBALL: Anthony Diaz's home run helped Tarpon Springs win Pool C and defeat Palm Harbor 4-0. Nick Dublino allowed three hits and struck out eight. Tony Pikos and B.J. Woods each had two hits. Martin France homered in East Lake's 5-2 win over Holiday. Christ Hurst and Mike Pepe had run-scoring hits. Chad Reiss got the win.
JUNIOR BASEBALL: In District 12 on Thursday, Joey Labus hit two doubles for Clearwater in a 4-0 win over Safety Harbor. Nate Kmet had 11 strikeouts for the win. Steve Bennett homered in Tarpon Springs' 11-1 win over Hudson. Jake Montenare got the win, and Drew Leak had three hits.
In District 5 on Wednesday Justin Randolph struck out six in Pinellas Park National's 6-5 win over Azalea. Brian Smith drove in the winning run in the eighth.
SENIOR BASEBALL: Wednesday, Johnathan Spincken drove in two to help Pinellas Park National defeat Cross Bayou 3-2. Kyle MacEwen's three-run double helped Seminole defeat Gulfport 7-6 in eight innings.