DUNEDIN - Adam Heideman drove in the winner as Oldsmar defeated East Lake 5-3 to claim the District 12 Senior Baseball End-of-Season Tournament.
With Oldsmar trailing 3-2 in the fifth, Stephen Hathaway tied the score on an error by East Lake second baseman Drew Stimmell. Heideman then lined a 1-and-2 pitch to deep centerfield for a triple, scoring Dan Dinelli and Chrisdion Weaver. Neither Heideman, Hathaway or Weaver started: Heideman pinch hit for Tyler Lewis in the fifth and stayed in, and Weaver and Hathaway came in as a pinch-hitters in the fourth.
"The bats have been there when we've needed them," Oldsmar coach Gary Papa said.
Oldsmar starter Shawn Kale gave himself the early lead by driving in Michael Papa on a single to rightfield in the first. Kale struck out eight to earn the win.
Kale kept East Lake off the scoreboard until the third when two wild pitches allowed Pat Gordon to scamper home from third. East Lake tied it at 2 in the fourth on Tyler Hammond's triple, then took the lead in the fifth when starter Andrew Dennis then blooped a single to centerfield to score Steve Stramandinoli. Dennis allowed four hits.
MAJOR SOFTBALL: Safety Harbor defeated Oldsmar 12-6 to force a second game for the District 12 End-of-Season Tournament. Jackie Katchuck had three doubles and Taylor Martinez held Oldsmar to two hits to earn the win.
