HYL team romps its way to state

Hernando's pre-majors squad defeats South Sumter 20-1 and 10-2 to capture the title of their district tournament.

By BRANT JAMES

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 10, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando Youth League's Pre-Majors Dixie League All-Star team romped into the state tournament on Friday by sweeping South Sumter in their best-of-three district series.

HYL allowed only two hits in the short 15-16-year-olds series at Emerson Field.

Brad Wyatt, a rising junior at Hernando High School, threw a one-hitter in a 20-1 series-opening rout Thursday. Willie Fifer, Thomas Bunn and Brae White combined for a one-hitter in a 10-2 clincher Friday.

HYL manager Jeff Laing admitted he didn't learn much about his team amid such blowouts, but it was valuable, he said, to get his starters some gametime together.

"More than anything, Brad pitched five innings to get his work in," Laing said of his ace. "We did the same with Willie and took a look at Bunn and White.

"We didn't sub that much," Laing said. "We wanted to see how we would react with that group."

The pre-majors begin state tournament play Saturday in Bonifay against Tom Brown, the Tallahassee-area champions.

Dixie League State Tournament

WHEN: Saturday-July 19.

WHERE: Bonifay.

HERNANDO'S OPENER: Saturday, 1 p.m., vs. Tom Brown (Tallahassee)

WANT MORE? Go online to www.dixie.org.

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