Sarasota Sting wins national title

The Sarasota Sting 11U travel baseball team captured the national title at the Youth Baseball Nationals June 29 through July 3, in Elizabethtown, Ky.

The Sting opened the tournament with a 13-0 victory over Cincinnati Elite Baseball, which was shortened to four innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Sarasota then defeated the Oakland Mi Diamondbacks 11-1 and Buffalo NY Titans Baseball 7-2.

The Sting suffered its first loss of the tournament July 2, falling to Texas C3 Futures 6-5.

Due to weather, Sarasota was forced to play the remainder of its games July 3. The Sting defeated Georgia Warriors Baseball 12-0 and the Michigan Storm 8-1 to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, the Sting defeated Texas C3 Futures 4-2 to avenge its earlier loss and advance to the title game.

In the championship, Sarasota defeated the Alabama Patriots 5-0. It was the first time Alabama had lost in a championship game.

Championship players include: Zach Calhoon, Nick Henry, Owen Ayers, Garret Browning, Nolan Miller, Tyler Russin, Richard Morales, Colin Apgar, Alec Boot-Handford, Christian Wise, Reese Clancy and Jason Scott. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].