Manatee wins World Series crown

The Manatee 10U Cal Ripken Baseball All-Stars scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back, cruising to a 15-2 victory against host Jonesboro, Ark., in the final of the Cal Ripken 10U World Series Aug. 15. 

Manatee posted a 4-0 record in pool play. Manatee opened the tournament with a pair of 10-0 shutouts versus Arkansas and California. 

Jaden Stockton earned the win on the mound for Manatee versus Arkansas Aug. 8. Austin Olander had a 2-run home run and Ryan Combs added a home run. 

In the second game, Manatee hit five home runs over the 205-foot fence. Combs hit a pair of home runs and Ryan Gargett, Stone Russell and Judson Hildreth each had one. 

On Aug. 10, Manatee scored in the top of the eighth inning to edge past Washington State 4-3. Russell, Drew Marra and Combs combined for the win on the mound. 

Manatee rounded out pool play with a 16-10 victory versus Ohio Valley champion Janesville, Wisc. 

After earning the No. 1 seed in the National Division, Manatee advanced to the semifinals Aug. 14 where it beat Pacific Northwest champion Kennewick, Wash., 8-4. 

Gargett went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored to lead the way for Manatee. Stockton went 3-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored. 

In the championship, Manatee scored 15 runs on 12 hits and eight walks. Russell went 2-for-2 with two walks, a RBI and three runs scored. Marra went 1-for-2 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored. Stockton went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. 

Championship players include: 

Ashton Lamb

Ryan Hanson

Ryan Rushing

Judson Hildreth

Drew Marra

Liam Senkow

Stone Russell

Austin Olander

Mack Woolever

Ryan Combs

Ryan Gargett

Jaden Stockton

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].