Manatee East wins second district crown

10-AND-11-YEAR-OLD ALL-STARS

Manatee East Little League earned its second district crown of the Manatee County District 26 Little League All-Star Tournament July 16 as the league’s 10-and-11-year-old All-Stars held off Braden River Little League in the best-of-three series.

Manatee East defeated Braden River 4-3 in game one of the series July 15 at Braden River Park. Braden River took an early 2-0 lead in game two of the series when Jonathan Aragon hit a two-run homerun in the top of the first inning.

Manatee East responded with five runs of its own, including a three-run homerun by Shane Zipperer in the bottom of the first inning. Manatee East held on to win 8-5 despite allowing a two-run homerun to Braden River’s Nick Runde in the top of the fourth inning.

Manatee East will move on to the sectional tournament where they will face the winner of District 25. The team will play at 7 p.m., July 24 at the Manatee East Little League Complex.

11-AND-12-YEAR-OLD ALL-STARS

Braden River and Manatee East both came up short in 11-and-12-year-old All-Star action July 16. Braden River fell to Manatee American 9-3 and Manatee East fell to Manatee Central 6-3. Manatee East still has a chance to advance to the district championship game with a win tonight over Manatee American. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Braden River Park. The winner of tonight’s matchup will face Manatee Central in the championship game at 11 a.m., July 18.

JUNIOR ALL-STARS

After defeating Manatee Central 4-3 in game one of the best-of-three series, the Braden River Junior All-Stars gave up 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning as Manatee Central cruised to a 13-1 victory in game two. The two teams will battle for the district crown at 7 p.m. tonight. The winner of tonight’s game will win the district title and advance to the sectional tournament at 2 p.m., July 25.