Little League

Southport again ends Hernando's title hopes

By GRACE AGOSTIN
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 24, 2003

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MULBERRY - Hernando dropped the state championship to Southport on Wednesday after holding an undefeated record earlier in the District 7 tournament.

The 14-4 loss for the under-14 boys league was an ending all too familiar for Hernando. During the semifinals Tuesday, Southport gave Hernando its first loss. The same team eliminated Hernando from the Dixie Boys State Championship last year, a game coach Cliff Manuel couldn't forget.

"Oh yeah, we remember them," Manuel said. "They play with 100 percent the whole game and were the only team to beat us last year."

Hernando's second chance at a title ended early in the fifth by a mercy rule when Southport scored on a single.

Monte Ketchum hit a three-run homer for Hernando in the fourth.

Southport scored seven in the second, five off Kyle Neal before Ryan Homan relieved him.

Despite the loss, Manuel said his team played consistent defense.

"Five pitchers came in to this tournament to help us, and we have had an excellent defense behind them," Manuel said. "During the week we played very good. We had one bad inning the entire tournament and that was (Tuesday) night. But these kids have held their heads high throughout."

Hernando was 3-0 before falling Tuesday 10-7 to Southport.

In the fifth Hernando gave up seven runs by loading the bases on walks and committing to three errors. Hernando rallied for four in the sixth but fell short.

Southport took the lead in the fourth, loading the bases before getting a two-run single off Ryan Poole.

Poole relieved Homan, who allowed one hit, one run and four walks in three innings. Ketchum gave Hernando a lead in the first with a two-run homer.

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