- July 29, 2026
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The players on the Lakewood Ranch Little League 11U All-Stars were looking for one more ground ball to field, one more throw to make and one more pitch to hit.
From July 24-26 in DeLand, they competed in the Little League All-Stars State Tournament, and finished in a tie for third out of eight teams. Lakewood Ranch opened with a loss to Lake Mary, 5-2 but rebounded with wins over North Springs, 7-6, and Dr. Phillips, 6-3.
It was the league's first 11U squad to reach the state tournament since 2023. The team ultimately finished with a 7-1 record in all-star play.
Coach Cory Supple said this particular team was made up of players who would have wanted their practices to last more than two hours. Because of that desire to work hard, Supple would keep pushing.
“Sometimes the moms will be like, ‘Let’s go, we’re supposed to finish,’ because I like to run over,” said Cory Supple. “But these kids would stay here until 10 or 11 p.m. They would keep playing as long as the lights were on.”
The team featured 12 boys from 9- to 11-years-old who are obsessed with the diamond. The all-star tournament was a chance for them to translate that passion in a competitive environment.
Lakewood Ranch previously defeated Northeast, 6-2, in the Section 4 championship July 18. That followed its victory over Palmetto, 11-1, in the District 26 championship June 26.
For all the wins they collected on the road at other Little League venues, the players appreciated coming back to their own at Lakewood Ranch Park — even for something as simple as a two-hour practice.
“The feeling is just nice,” said rising sixth-grade third baseman Grayson Arndt. “Fielding a ground ball, getting a guy out, is always nice.”
Most of the same players performed for the 10U All-Stars last summer. That team also reached the Section 4 title game, but lost to Northeast, 4-3.
Lakewood Ranch’s 11U and 10U teams were both knocked out of tournament contention by Northeast in 2025. The players — and coaches — hadn’t forgotten that by the time this summer arrived.
On July 18, the 11U All-Stars had their shot at revenge. They didn't waste it.
“We all had a plan and had their name circled,” Supple said. “We would say, ‘Beat NELL,’ after we won districts and after every practice. We would run every practice just to make sure (our players were) conditioned and ready to last.”
In the preceding three-game district tournament, Lakewood Ranch went on a blistering run, outscoring opponents 41-1 combined. That run differential improved to 57-7 after sectional play.
Hits were not hard to find. Ashton Desmond, Dalton Gorris, Declan Supple and Oscar Crabtree all posted batting averages of .471 or better.
The team as a whole batted .355 this summer. Desmond had a team-high nine RBIs, while Crabtree hit a home run.
“We have a deep lineup where all 12 guys are contributing,” said Cory Supple. “All 12 guys are getting a shot, putting their bats on the ball and capitalizing on it.”
The success of these All-Stars, though, also boiled down to how they handled not-so-flashy moments along the way.
Friendship was strong in their dugout of green, orange and white jerseys. They were teammates, of course, but were connected in school before they stepped onto the field.
“They’re picking us up if we strike out or anything,” said rising sixth-grade, first baseman Juan David Omana. “They pick us up, and then we move on.”
On the mound, Brayden Hackman and Brayden Gast led the way. They were responsible for 18 strikeouts against two walks and 17 hits allowed entering the state tournament.
For the Section 4 title game, Gast started and tossed four of the six innings, striking out two batters while allowing two earned runs. Omana closed out the win.
Whether his players were on the mound, running the base paths or in the batter’s box, Supple tried to teach the mental aspect of baseball. The 11U All-Stars took to that teaching, and impressed him in how they applied it to real-game situations.
“This team in particular has grown mentally — being able to be resilient, being able to have positive attitudes,” Supple said. “Some of the other All-Star teams you would see struggle in that aspect, but these guys are strong in the head.”
The clock eventually struck midnight for this team. Its tournament run came to an end.
But their journey in youth baseball can continue. Some of them will be eligible for 12U All-Stars in 2027 — the team which competes for a spot at the Little League World Series.
Regardless of what next summer holds, being part of the 11U All-Stars only strengthened their passion for baseball while offering a reminder of why they first joined the sport.
“For the love of the game,” Omana said. “(Baseball is) like a part of me.”
