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LOL Chasing Past To Create Own Legacy

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By EDDIE DANIELS The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - For a second consecutive season, the Land O' Lakes Junior All-Stars have hoisted the District 25 baseball championship.

The squad blew out its four opponents by a combined 29-1. Funny thing is, Coach Harry Olsen isn't convinced the team has reached its full potential.

"We really didn't hit the ball," he said. "We scored yes, a few walks, a few hit batters and a couple of key hits in most of the games, but we didn't go on that tear that I know these kids can go on.

"If they can hit, I think we're going to be the team to beat if we hit in the sectional."

Considering how well the team is playing defensively and what it has done to previous opponents, that's a scary thought.

The team will take its streak of success into the two-day sectional tournament, which begins tonight at Dade City Little League, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd.

Tonight they face North Lakeland at 8:30 and move on to Saturday's contests against South Brandon American, 1 p.m., and Braden River, 7 p.m.

The team advanced to the sectional and won it last season, but finished third at the state tournament. A top-two ranking would have allowed the team to advance further.

"These kids are kind of competing against the kids from last year," Olsen said. "They want to get to state and they want to go further. ... Now when they start seeing these circles that hang on the back of the fence, they're starting to realize that, hey look, these guys won it last year, they won it this year in districts and if we win sectionals again, now they can say it again. It's our turn to win districts and sectionals."

It's All Down to Hudson

HUDSON - It isn't like Hudson 11-12 Little League coach Rick Hampshire doesn't like scouting. The trouble for him in scouting other teams is a combination of logistics and time.

He actually has a job during the day. Between that and coaching his Little League team, it makes for limited time to scout opponents.

"I haven't had the time," Hampshire said.

So when his team begins section play tonight at 6 at the Cross Bayou Little League complex in Seminole, he will sort of be flying blind, but that's all right with him, for now.

"It comes down to what we have to do," Hampshire said.

So far, his team has being doing things quite well. The Hudson 11-12 team became the second team in Hudson Little League history, said Hampshire, to capture a district title, which happened two weeks ago. The only other team to win a district crown was the Junior squad (13-14) 25 years ago.

Judging by their demeanor, Hampshire suggests his team will be fine without any scouting.

"They are excited and ready," Hampshire said. "It seems like forever since we've been playing. We are a well-rounded team. Our fundamentals should be good. Our base running is good and our pitching is good. We just have to play as a team, that's all we have to do to win."

The Hudson team has been hitting well. Jarred Mattos is hitting .700, Zack Russell .615, Ryan Mettler .600, Ryan Hampshire .583 and Sean Fluke .563. Fluke tossed a shutout against Crystal River 5-0 to win the district title. Mattos had 10 strikeouts in the semifinal.

Lee Diekemper

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