Young Guns ranked second nationally
By Kyle LoJacono
West Florida 9U Young Guns participated in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championship Baseball Tournament at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on June 20-25, finishing in second after the week-long event.
The Young Guns, which has players from around the Tampa Bay area including Lutz, lost to Buzz Baseball from Tennessee in the final upper division championship game, but still left the event as the second ranked squad nationally in 9U.
“This is a great group of hard working boys,” said Young Guns coach and team manager Chris Brennan. “They have fun playing the game and work together well as a team.”
The squad has been invited to participate in the United States Specialty Sports Association 9U Elite 32 World Series July 31-Aug. 6 at the sports complex. The Young Guns current record is 57-11-1.
Players on the team include: Trey Bacon, Ezra Brennan, Chase Centala, Jay Cobb, Derek Crum, Sehjin Daley, Trey Hinchliffe, Connor Leach, Jalen Niles, Logan O’Brien, Dawson Place and Jared Stearns. Coaches are Rob Hinchliffe, Charles Centala and Brennan.
For more information on the Young Guns, visit www.leaguelineup.com/wflyoungguns.
Second title for Land O’ Lakes
The Land O’ Lakes 11-12 year old softball all stars are becoming a regular at the top of District 25.
The squad won its second straight District 25 championship by defeating New Tampa 12-0 at Crystal River, keeping it alive to win back-to-back state crowns.
The Central Pasco County squad had a six-run first inning of the title game on the strength of three straight singles followed by a two-run double by Kylie Ellis. Ellis later doubled home another pair of runs in the third inning.
Taylor Holt went 3-for-3 with an RBI in the contest, while pitcher Kayla Redman allowed only three hits to New Tampa en route to a complete game shutout.
While Land O’ Lakes hit the ball early and often, coach Jon Holt was as impressed with the defensive effort from his team.
“Everything was clicking today; defense, offense and base running,” Jon said. “This was one of the games where a coach can sit back and watch his team play like they should be on ESPN.”
Land O’ Lakes’ march toward its second straight state championship continues at Haines City for sectionals on July 12.
Land O’ Lakes takes title
The Land O’ Lakes 9-10 year old softball all stars won the District 25 championship on June 29 by defeating New Tampa 9-5 in the title game.
“We played great defense, got some clutch hits and both our pitcher and catcher went the distance to help us win,” said Land O’ Lakes coach Colleen LoSauro.
Land O’ Lakes also beat New Tampa in the opening contest 8-1 and followed that up with another win against Zephyrhills 12-2. The squad finished with a perfect 3-0 record in the event.
The Central Pasco County squad includes: Alexis Buchman, Shea Forgas, Lexi Kilfoyl, Amber Leafe, Brianna Linder, Alyssa LoSauro, Shannon Maloney, Brooke Rosello, Emma Sica, Ashley Smith and Callie Turner. Coaches include Jim Leafe, Colleen LoSauro and John Maloney.
Land O’ Lakes will next compete in sectionals in Haines City starting July 15.
Lutz all stars win districts
The 11-year-old Lutz all star baseball team won the District 25 championship June 23 by defeating Land O’ Lakes in the finals at New Tampa.
Lutz started out by beating Zephyrhills 22-0, and followed that with victories over New Tampa and Land O’ Lakes 12-2 and 15-11 respectively.
Land O’ Lakes fought back to make the finals, but Lutz proved too much and defeated the central Pasco County squad 8-1. Matt Gaffney pitched a complete game in the championship contest, using 62 pitches in six innings of work.
Lutz players include: Kyle Coppola, Matthew Fischel, Josh Furr, Matt Gaffney, Aaron Jensen, Kyle Lanphere, Huston Richter, Jackson Rosario, Landon Schabes, Drew Spencer, Zach Whitmer, Andrew Wise and Zack Zayas. Coaches are Ron Coppola, Bob Schabes and Mike Spencer.
Lutz next plays at Haines City in sectionals July 15-16. For more information on the squad, visit www.eteamz.com/fldistrict25.
