The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 9 No. 25 - March 18, 2009

sports

Majors squad sweeps Yankees

The Island Majors team pulled out consecutive victories this week, improving its overall record to 2-4 this season. The offense was running on all cylinders on Monday, March 9, as the team pounded out 13 runs to win 13-12 in an extra inning thriller against the National Youngsters Yankees at the Community Center. Several players scored multiple times with run support coming from big hits by members of the team up and down the lineup.

Neil Carper, Johnny Mattay and Phillip Dudevoire led the way with two hits each in a back-and-forth affair that saw eight lead changes. With the Yankees up 10-7 in the fourth, Mattay came on in relief and pitched well, allowing one unearned run over the next 2-2/3 innings. The Island team came from behind in the fifth and sixth to tie it at 12 going into the seventh.

That’s when Devin Cole took over for the Majors squad by singling in the bottom half of the inning with the game still knotted at 12. Cole then took second on a wild pitch, stole third cleanly and came home with the winning run when the throw to third sailed into the outfield.

When the team took the field again on Friday the result was the same, defeating the Yankees by a score of 7-5. A trio of excellent pitching, playing strategic baseball and timely hitting allowed the West Coast Surf Shop Islanders’ to come out with the win. Neil Carper took the mound in game two and mowed down six opposing batters in a row to close out the game. Carper’s two innings of perfect pitching also earned him the save in the game. Johnny Mattay also had success pitching this week, allowing zero earned runs over six innings pitched in appearances in both games.

In other Island Little League action, the Holmes Beach Ace Hardware Minors team was defeated by Flagship Fire in the final inning 15-12. It was very close and competitive game, with the score tied going into the last inning.

However, in the third inning they surrendered three runs and were unable to overcome the deficit. Miles Fisher and Jack Coleman each had a pair of hits and drove in runs to lead the offense on the day. Also contributing with singles were Evan Souldjin, Anthony Cucci and Jewel Martinez. Mikey Ellsworth pitched effectively on the mound and was later relieved by Emma Monuese and Amanda Nyberg. However, the pitching staff was not able to allow them to keep the lead in this matchup despite an impressive offensive performance. The team looks to continue on their success this season with games on Thursday and Saturday.

Upcoming games:

T-Ball: Wednesday, March 18. 5:30 p.m. at AMICC and Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. at AMICC.
Pitching Machine: Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m. at AMICC and Saturday, March 21, 12 p.m. at AMICC.
Minors: Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. at AMICC; Saturday, March 21, 12 p.m. at G.T. Bray and Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. at AMICC.
Majors: Friday, March 20, 7 p.m. at G.T. Bray and Monday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. at AMICC.

Tryouts set for flag football

The Community Center is holding a flag football challenge events on Monday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holmes Beach Field to help kick off this year’s season.

Players are required to attend to pick up their uniforms and schedules at that time and to participate in the events to test their football skills in a fun environment.

Awards will be given to the winners of each event within each age group. There is a $5 fee to participate. Players will run through each challenge twice. The regular season begins on Wednesday, March 25.

For more information, call 778-1908.


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