posted Jun 30, 2008 - 1:40:45pm
Wednesday was the opening day of the 37th annual DeLand American Legion Post 6 Firecracker Baseball Tournament, played on Melching Field at Conrad Park and the Sperling Sports Complex.
Somehow, with threatening weather on just about all sides, all seven first-day games went into the books.
Something a little different about the tournament this year. Because of the lack of scorekeepers, the various individual teams are keeping the score sheets, which means the only rundowns that are available are in connection with the hosting DeLand Sixers and the teams they play.
The Sixers opened their Division B action by facing the Troy, Ohio, Post 43 team. The club from Ohio wasted no time in finding the scoring column, as four of their first five batters collected hits, and they finished with three runs in the inning.
The unfazed Sixers came right back with four hits and six runs in the bottom half of the inning. Four more hits and five runs in the second inning highlighted the locals to a 13-4 triumph — their 17th straight — to remain undefeated.
Andrew Thompson opened on the mound for the Sixers, and had his troubles in the first inning, when he allowed four hits and three runs, with a strikeout. In the second, he sat Troy down in order, including one on strikes. However, he had some arm troubles, and worked only the first two frames.
Chad Rood came on in relief to close out the final five innings and earn the victory. He scattered three hits and gave up a run, while he rang up eight on strikes, and walked four.
The Sixers managed only one hit after the second inning, as the Ohio hurler issued 10 bases on balls, while the team was charged with three errors, and the Sixers ran well on the bases.
At the plate, Ryan Sweat ripped a bases-loaded triple to chase home three runs, and he later singled. Tyler Weaver also knocked in three runs by stroking a pair of singles. Brandon Turner, Nick Beavers, A.J. Hansborough, Nick Mozingo and Devin DeLaRosa added one-baggers. Onix Concepcion scored three times.
Pacing Troy were David Moss, with a double and a pair of singles, to drive in two runs, and Kyle Stephenson, who doubled and singled. Jake West and Tyler Stephenson each singled.
Other action
The four-time defending champion Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Post 48 got off to a quick start in Division A by taking a pair of victories. They shaded past Sanford Post 53 in a 2-1 toughie, and then cruised past West Tampa Post 248, 13-3.
In two other contests in Division A, Sanford bounced back to slip past Boynton Beach Post 164. On the heels of that loss, Boynton Beach came right back to bounce Jacksonville Post 137, 12-2.
Two games were played at the Sperling Sports Complex, with the earlier one on Melching Field at Conrad Park.
One of those games found Troy, Ohio, Post 43 had nipped New Port Richey Post 79, 6-5, in Division B. Also in this division, Fort Pierce Post 358 recorded the first shutout of the tournament by blanking Jacksonville Post 88, 4-0.
Comment on this article
Commenting is closed for this article.
If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.
Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The DeLand-Deltona Beacon to read more stories by Roger Gilmore, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!
Photos - Real Estate - Newcomer's Guide - Beacon Magazines - Advertise - Local Web Sites - About Us - Beacon Archives
