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Stars Still Shine In Losses

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

PLANT CITY - Before the first pitch was thrown, Plant City's Senior League all-stars knew they were in for a whole new experience at the state tournament for 15- and 16-year-olds.

Going into its July 26 opener against East Boynton Beach, the team that went on to win the state title, Plant City was visually at a disadvantage.

"These were not boys; these were men we were playing against," Plant City coach Jeff Jacobsen said. "I mean they were all 16-year-olds, where most of our guys are 15, and they were 250, 260 pounds. They had goatees and mustaches."

And talent.

East Boynton beat Plant City 8-0.

Plant City, which had steamrolled through lead-up tournaments, lost all three games at the Fort Myers Little League complex but gained a tremendous set of memories, the coach said.

"We were able to get the true Little League experience, beyond just the local scene. This was a tremendous time," Jacobsen said. "The teams we played, you can take nothing away from them. All of my kids are great ballplayers and had a great attitude. I'm so proud."

In its first game, Plant City had to face East Boynton Beach pitcher Willie Bonilla - all 6-foot-3, 280 pounds of him. Plant City could not get any offense going.

Later that day, Plant City fell 3-0 to Tamarac out of Miami. That loss eliminated Plant City from advancing to the semifinals. A.J. del Valle allowed the game to stay close with a gutty seven-inning performance on the mound.

Speaking of gutty, catcher Sebastian Ray tried to play in the game but could not as he had a broken finger.

"He hurt it before and he played the first game, but then he shows the finger to me and I knew it was broke right away," Jacobsen said.

Though the final game on July 27 was meaningless, Plant City put forth a strong effort in coming back against host South Fort Myers before losing 9-7. Art Knight had a two-run triple for Plant City's big hit.

East Boynton Beach went on to defeat Conway 2-0 in the finals, to advance to the national regional tournament in Melbourne. Almost every player on the Boynton team was on the 2003 squad that, as 11- and 12-year-olds, won the World Series.

"They were champs all right," Jacobsen said. "These teams we played, whereas in the sectional tournament we were able to steal bases, we just couldn't get that going. And with these teams, there were no errors, no passed balls and no walks. It was a brand-new ballgame."

Jacobsen thanked the parents of the players, along with Plant City Little League, for making it so "all I had to do was coach."

Other members of the Plant City state-tourney team included Cody Akers,Zach Batley, Travis Cannoles, Cole Dickson, Lee Easters, Josh Jacobsen, Brett Nizamoff, Rene Negrete, K'Shawn and Kaylen Smith.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib.com.

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