News

Land O'Lakes needs one more win to make championship game

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published June 26, 2007

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LAND O'LAKES - Mike Campoamor knew from the first day of All-Stars practice that he had a good team of 10-year-olds and, in fact, might have the best team in District 25.

So far, it looks like he might be right. And tonight at 7, he could know for sure.

In a battle of unbeatens, Campoamor's Land O'Lakes 9-10 team takes on New Tampa in the semifinals of the District 25 tournament.

The double-elimination tourney is being held at New Tampa Little League, and the two teams remain in the winner's bracket.

"As a group, we definitely have a good team, " Campoamor said. "We've had a couple of solid pitching performances, and everybody is contributing here and there."

Land O'Lakes has already posted 10-4 and 11-6 wins, and starting pitchers Justin Jungbauer and Christien Thomas haven't allowed any earned runs and - even more impressively, considering the age group - haven't walked anyone.

They have been led offensively by shortstop Mike Campoamor, infielder Brett Renner (who leads the team in RBIs), catcher Connor Stephens, outfielders Alex Perez and Sean Cunius, and first baseman Wade Daniels.

"They are definitely excited being one game away from the championship game, " Campoamor said. "That was one of our goals."

STILL KICKING: After beating New Tampa #2 behind the pitching of Devil Phillips and Johnny Nystrom on Friday, the Dade City 9-10 team lost to Land O'Lakes on Sunday and played in the loser's bracket against Lutz on Monday night hoping to stay alive.

HANGING IN: Both West Pasco and Holiday are 1-1 on pool play in District 12, but West Pasco earned local bragging rights over its rivals when they met Friday in the first game of the tournament.

West Pasco scored nine runs in the first inning and added seven in the third to cruise to a 16-3 win. Blaze Grabowski, Max Martin, Mike Dodson and Harrison Keslar all had two hits, scored two runs and had at least two RBIs (Martin had four). Ryan Glenn also had two hits for West Pasco.

It wasn't as fortunate in Game 2, however, losing Saturday to East Lake 5-2 after allowing four unearned runs.

While West Pasco, which plays West Pinellas tonight at 7, dropped to 1-1, Holiday kept alive its chances of advancing out of pool play with an 8-5 win over West Pinellas and will play unbeaten East Lake on Wednesday.

FINISHING SECOND: District 15 held its tournament for 7-8 age group in Lady Lake over the weekend, with Greater Hudson Little League taking second to Dunellon.

Hudson's only two losses were to Dunellon. It did beat Inverness 13-1 and West Hernando 15-1.

The Hudson players were Steven Clark, Chase Latchford, L.J. Pratt, Jacob Hartman, Trevor Paxton, Nick Lumpkin, Jakob Mattos, Stephan Shiner, Justin Skelton, Austin Minary-Webb, Gunnar Hoglund and Hunter Latchford.

ONE MORE CHANCE: San Antonio's Dixie Youth Junior (13-year-olds) baseball team is 1-1 so far in its district tournament in Oak Griner.

San Antonio, coached by Wayne Mooney, lost its opener 11-1 in an error-plagued game, but bounced back to beat the hosts 14-4 in the double elimination tournament and play again tonight.

Taylor Boutwell and Matt Mooney were the pitchers in the victory. Other team members are Austin Gilkes, Jaxon Moore, Nick Morphew, Jesse Pavek, Ryan Scharber, Ben Surratt, Chris Trinidad and Matt Wynne. Coaches are Wayne Mooney, Ron Scharber and Michael Trinidad.

 

 

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[Last modified June 26, 2007, 08:16:46]

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