In the title game for the 10B All Stars, Gabriel Cassala was the starting and winning pitcher, allowing only one hit over 3 1/3 innings. The Sharks took control of the game by scoring seven runs in the bottom of the second inning. Key hits in the inning included a leadoff single by Cassala, an RBI producing double by Halbach and a two-run single by Dacquel. Solomon pitched two innings of effective relief followed by Dacquel who shut Fort Caroline down getting the final two outs on strikeouts.
Key defensive performances were turned in by Ethan Trawick, right fielder Spencer Awad who threw out a batter at second base attempting to stretch a single into a double. Halbach made an outstanding catch in deep center field in the fourth inning.
Offensive leaders included leadoff hitter Zach Werninck with a triple and four runs scored, Rosenblum with an RBI double and a run scored, Dacquel with two hits and a pair of RBI, Cassala with two runs and a hit, Halbach with two doubles and an RBI and Trawick with two runs scored, one from second base on a wild pitch.
Under-9
The 9U All-Star team won its District 5 Championship at Cornerstone Park.
After an opening round loss on June 12 to Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra faced elimination on Saturday morning against Fort Caroline. But the Sharks responded with a lopsided 29-4 victory to set up a rematch against Jax Beach on Saturday afternoon.
Ponte Vedra trailed 4-3 entering the fifth inning and exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 10-4 lead. Instrumental in the comeback victory was a double by Nick Tronti and a triple by Andrew Rolfsen. Kevin Mauro capped the rally by hitting a two run home run to right center.
Pitcher Chris Howard held Jax Beach scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings following strong pitching performances by JD Pirris and Sam Ohno. This victory set up a winner-take-all championship game against Jax Beach on Sunday.
There, Ponte Vedra kept the bats alive scoring 13 runs in the first two innings to take a 13-3 lead. Key hits included doubles by Tronti and Spenser Slayden. With the score 15-9 in the fourth inning, clutch defensive plays in the outfield by Jake Early and EJ Porter helped kill any further rally by Jax Beach.
Jax Beach continued to battle back, but Ponte Vedra’s pitching depth proved to be the difference. Eric Aleman started the game and was followed on the mound by Howard and Pirris who turned in strong performances. Tronti came on to close out the victory and the championship. State championships to e held at Julington Creek in July.
