The West Florida Thunder, a travel baseball team based at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, won the Global Sports Alliance’s state championship 9U division on Nov. 16 and 17.
The Thunder went 5-0 on the weekend, scoring 57 runs and allowing only four. In pool and opening round bracket play, the squad defeated teams from Dunedin, Winter Haven and Fishhawk Ranch by a combined score of 49-2.
In the semifinals, the Thunder beat the West Florida Young Guns 6-1 before taking down the Wesley Chapel Storm 2-1 in the championship game. Members of the team include Charles Novick, Dylan DuPhily, Ryan Ebberup, Beau Roberts, Jack Utley, Anthony Anselmo, Nick Ciago, Brian Martin, Max Barile and Chris DiCono.
The Thunder are also hosting open tryouts for the spring season on Tuesday, Dec. 13, Thursday, Dec. 15 and Tuesday, Dec. 20 on field No. 7 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. No player can turn 10 years old before May 1, 2012. For more information, call coach Ron Roberts at (813) 335-5929 or visit www.westfloridathunder.com.
