Proving a Point

+By the Numbers

9 — Runs Sarasota American allowed in three games during the 2015 Florida State Tournament. 

3 — Consecutive years Sarasota American has reached the Section 6 championship game, having won each of the past two seasons. 

1 — Games Sarasota American lost during the 2015 Florida State Tournament. 

8 — Teams competing in the 2015 Florida State Tournament. 

43 — Runs Sarasota American scored in three games to win the Section 6 tournament and earn a berth in the 2015 Florida State Tournament. 

SARASOTA — The Sarasota American 11-and 12-year-old All-Stars wanted to do better. 

After last season’s disappointing 0-3 finish at the Florida State Tournament, the boys wanted to prove to everyone around them that they were one of the top eight Little League Majors division All-Star teams in the state. 

In the days leading up to the 2015 Florida State Tournament July 31 through Aug. 2, in Tallahassee, Sarasota American spent ample time working the four corners of the diamond, fielding pop ups and ground balls in an attempt to further solidify the one area of their game that got them to this point. 

Sarasota American won District 16 and Section 6 titles last month in large part because of its pitching and defense. 

“Coach (Al Infantino) says defense wins games,” 12-year-old second baseman Karson Ligon says. “You can be really good hitters, but if you can never let up. You may score a lot of runs, but that doesn’t mean you’re always going to win.” 

“These guys are All-Stars, so they are already good ball players,” Infantino says. “This season has been about getting them to play together as a team. We’ve really been working on defense and pitching and being on the same page. Hitting is an individual act, but defense is a team mentality.” 

Sarasota American opened pool play versus a familiar opponent in Lakewood Ranch Little League. Sarasota American knocked off previously undefeated Lakewood Ranch, who had only allowed two runs in five games, 10-1. 

“We know most of them and we (knew) what to do to prepare for them,” 13-year-old third baseman Gabe Copeland says. “It was definitely and advantage.” 

Sarasota American fell to Coral Springs 6-4 before bouncing back to defeat Dr. Phillips 4-2. Sarasota American finished tied for first place in Pool B with Coral Springs with a 2-1 record. 

“Our motto has been one through 13,” Infantino says. “Anyone can come up (big). We don’t have starters and subs. We just have players. Whether its the first inning or the fifth inning and you’re being called on to answer the bell, everyone has to do their job and these (guys) have been great.” 

Sarasota American allowed nine fewer runs than Coral Springs, but Coral Springs won the tiebreaker and advanced to the championship game having beaten Sarasota American in its head-to-head meeting. 

“It’s been awesome just being able to have fun with these kids,” Ligon says of this season. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].