West Hernando Angels float above the competition

By KELLIE DIXON
Published June 19, 2007

The West Hernando Little League 11- to 12-year-old Angels claimed their first Top Team honors with a comeback win over Shady Hills last week.

The Angels were one of three West Hernando teams to win the regular season in baseball. The Nationals won the junior division and the Astros won the senior division.

Crystal River won the ages 9-10 division, and also dominated softball, winning the 9-10 division and the senior division. Greater Hudson won the major division.

The Angels, playing in the boys Little League division, trailed Shady Hills 4-3 in the final inning. Walter Foster, who got help from his defense, struck out the last batter to fire up the Angels.

In the bottom of the sixth, Joey Jeffords led off with a triple and Anthony Figueroa was walked. Michael Cortes followed with a bunt that scored Jeffords. Shady Hills walked Ryan Nicoll to load the bases, and Wilfred Pagan hit a shot down the third-base line to help the Angels win.

"We had very excellent pitching and timely hitting so you combine those two and it's a good combination, " Angels coach Gary Nicoll said.

Select players from the Angels - Cortes, Nicoll and Pagan - will combine with other West Hernando players to form an All-Star team. The All-Star teams will compete in District 15 and games start June 29.

[Last modified June 19, 2007, 07:22:09]