River Dawgs win winter tournament

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Ten-year-old Harrison Thiel was barely old enough to toddle around the bases the first time he picked up a baseball bat.

The new shiny red plastic bat, a gift from his grandma, quickly became the then-18-month-old’s soul source of entertainment. Harrison’s parents signed him up for T-ball a year later, and from that point on, the third baseman and pitcher has been caught up in the sport.

Now nine years later, Harrison is using his skills and athleticism to help lead the Florida River Dawgs 11U travel baseball team.

On Dec. 3-4, the River Dawgs won the 11U AAA division of the USSSA Winter State Championship Tournament in Plant City after defeating the Central Florida Launchers 11-3. Tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the third inning, the River Dawgs scored six runs to put the game out of reach. Tyler Reed pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out three.

Throughout the tournament, the River Dawgs outscored their opponents 44-7, defeating the Launchers 6-2 and the Beachside Ballers 16-1 in pool play and the Ballers 11-1 in a single-elimination game.

“It felt good to be champions again,” Harrison said. “I was really excited for my teammates. It was pretty cool.”

Teammate Rob Arakel agreed.

“It was a great experience for the entire team,” Rob said.

The River Dawgs followed their state championship with a 12-2 victory over the South Brandon Hornets in the championship game of the RBI Holiday Hardball Classic Tournament Dec. 10-11 in Gibsonton.

The team finished 0-2 in pool play Dec. 10 before winning four straight games Dec. 11, including the championship, in which the River Dawgs avenged an 8-6 pool-play loss to the Hornets.

Tyler, Rob and fellow pitchers Matt Gelorme and Danny Rodriguez all helped secure victories for the River Dawgs.

“There were a number of games during the season that we were behind, but the boys pulled together and fought extremely hard until the very last out,” pitching coach Aaron Thiel said. “They learned that, no matter the deficit, they could come back against anyone. They have a high level of confidence in each other and themselves. It’s that kind of trust and courage that makes them so strong.”

The River Dawgs began preparing for their fall season at the beginning of August and played roughly 40 games over the course of the nine-tournament season, which concluded Dec. 11.

During the season, the team practices two to three times a week on the field. In addition, the majority of the players spend at least two to three days a week hitting in the batting cages at Strike Zone. Many of the players also have a personal hitting lesson and all of the pitchers are required to attend one pitching lesson a month with a professional pitching instructor.

“Everyone strives to get better day by day,” Harrison said. “Nobody quits.”

“I enjoy playing baseball with my friends and having fun,” Rob said. “We have been playing as a team, and we have great coaches and families.”

Now with their fall season behind them, the River Dawgs will spend the holidays doing strength and conditioning workouts before they begin practicing for the spring season the first week in January.

“What makes this team different is our mission,” manager Scott Kolbe said. “It has a dual purpose. Winning championships on the field and building champions for life. We have the commitment to the best play and best learning relative to the game of baseball. Our commitment to teach the game at the most competitive level is high.

“We also have another mission that runs parallel to our baseball commitment — that is our faith component,” he said. “Who these boys become as men is equally important to us as their baseball development.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

Florida River Dawgs 11U roster
Harrison Thiel
Hunter Bogumil
Chase Jackson
Colin Apgar
Rob Arakel
Matt Gelorme
Charlie George
Mason Kolbe
Collin Goda
Tyler Reed
Anthony Squitieri