SIDELINES 6.27.13

+ Cal Ripken 8U All-Stars secure district crown
The Manatee Cal Ripken 8U All-Stars won the district tournament June 20 through June 21, in Ocala, to earn a berth in the state tournament.

The team went 3-0, defeating North Central Florida (8-4), Oviedo (9-6) and South Daytona (9-1).
The Manatee 8U All-Stars will travel July 3 through July 8, to Palm Beach Gardens for the Cal Ripken State Tournament July.

Championship players include: Dylan Reiser, Lucas Viera, Judson Hildreth, Jack Muller, Rylen Stockton, Tristan Schellinger, Mason McReynolds, Jaden Stockton, Alex Heintz and Alex Lamb and Justin Cook.

+ Lakewood Ranch High to hold softball camp
The Lakewood Ranch High softball team will hold its 2013 Softball Camp from 9 a.m. to noon July 9 through July 11.

Cost is $40 per day or $100 for all three days; price includes a camp T-shirt.

Participants will receive instruction in all areas of the game, including pitching, catching, fielding, throwing mechanics, hitting and more.

Featured instructors include: Florida International University pitching coach Mandy Sherman; former University of South Florida assistant softball coach Stacey Heintz; former Florida State track and field strength-and-conditioning coach Tyler Peacock; and current college and Lakewood Ranch High players.
For more information, contact coach Tony Cummins at [email protected] or 504-9848.

+ NJCAA announces academic award winners
The NJCAA recently announced its 2012-13 NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards.

More than 1,600 NJCAA student-athletes met the requirements for individual academic honors.

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota academic award winners include:
Baseball
Jeff Dally (3.64)
Jarred Smith (3.6)
Bryan Voelkl (3.8)
Tennis
Abigail Martinez (3.73)
Softball
Chelsea Wildey (3.76)
Volleyball
Chelsea Williams (3.86)

+ Silver Hawks end season with second-place finish
The 11U Silver Hawks Baseball Club of Lakewood Ranch finished second June 19 through June 23, at the Greater Orlando World Series.

The team played 10 games during the tournament, including eight games in less than 36 hours, to advance to the championship game, during which they fell to the O’City Orioles. 

Tournament runner-up players include: Aaron Combs, Tyler Moss, Myles Kaitz, Jordan Brown, Calvin Hedgepeth, DJ Marra, Noe Antuna, Kevin Alonzo, Calvin Chapman, Mikey Gagnon, Michael Murphy.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].