SARASOTA
Karson Ligon delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly to deep right field in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday night to lift Sarasota National to an 8-7 victory over Sarasota American.
The win gave Sarasota National the Little League Majors Division (11- and 12-years-old) District 16 championship in a tournament played at Twin Lakes Park.
Members of the Sarasota National Little League that won the District 16 11- and 12-year-old division. Courtesy photo by Tim Wirt
Winning the district crown earns Sarasota National a berth in the Section 6 tournament, beginning on July 18 in Bonita Springs.
Sarasota American couldn’t hold on for the win despite outhitting Sarasota National, 11 to six. Sarasota American led 7-3 after four innings and 7-5 going into the sixth inning.
Leadoff hitter Gabe Copeland got it started drawing a one-walk in the final inning. Caleb Poll and catcher Sean Kathman also drew walks to load the bases, setting up Sam Miller for a two-run single that would tie the game at 7-7.
Ligon then delivered.
Sarasota National jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead before Sarasota American came roaring back with seven unanswered runs.
Members of the Sarasota American Little League that finished second in the District 16 11- and 12-year-old division. Courtesy photo by Tim Wirt
Copeland got it going for Sarasota National in the first leading off with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Kathman and Miller walked before left-handed hitting Evan Gibbs hit a two-run double.
Sarasota American leadoff hitter Jimmy Hazlett mashed a two-run single to center field to cut the margin to 3-2 in the second. Beau Eisen singled and Chris Sherman doubled in the second for American.
American shortstop Josh Capo tied it up with a leadoff home run in the top of the third.
Jacob Schemmel led off with a single in fourth and eventually scored on a wild pitch to give American its first lead at 4-3.
American pinch-hitter John Solomon crushed a two-run homer in the fifth to give the team a four-run lead.
But National came surging back with two runs in its half of the fifth - on a single by Copeland, three walks and a fielder’s choice.
Ty Kilgo, Capo and Eisen collected two hits apiece for Sarasota American.
Copeland had two hits for Sarasota National.
The post Sarasota National win district title appeared first on HT Preps.
