LAKE MARY — Florida Little League Baseball, Incorporated history was made earlier this month by Lake Mary Little League as it became the first program in the 50 years of Florida Little League Baseball to have both its baseball and softball Major Division (12-and-Under) All-Star Teams win State Championships and advance to the Southeast Regionals in the same season.
But that wasn’t good enough for the LMLL as it also added the 9-10-11 year-old (11U) Softball State Championship to its resume’.
The 12U Softball Team became the first Lake Mary Little League Softball team to advance to the Southeast Regional and the girls got off to a great start in Warner Robins, Georgia, on Sunday, shutting out South Carolina, 8-0.
The Florida nine then edged Virginia, 4-3, on a walk-off in the seventh inning to join North Carolina in the semifinals as the only unbeaten teams in the 9-team event.
But things went sour for Lake Mary as they were blanked, 10-0, by North Carolina and in a rematch with Virginia, on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, to finish a respectable third in the tournament.
The team was managed by John DeStefano, with Ryan Bono and Bryan Lester serving as Assistant Coaches.
Making up the 12-member roster were _ Rachel Lester, Emma Ball, Calista Graham, Abby Seneaker, Lacey Huska, Taylor DeStefano, Ava Canzoneri, Addison Bono, Alana Pagan-Luu, Drew Parks, Brooklyn Catalano and Ryleigh Huntress.
Here are the results:
Sunday, July 21
North Carolina 12, Georgia 0.
Florida 8, South Carolina 0.
Monday, July 22
North Carolina 10, Tennessee 3.
Florida 4, Virginia 3.
West Virginia 7, South Carolina 3.
Tuesday, July 23
Virginia 8, Georgia 5.
West Virginia 5, Tennessee 2.
Wednesday, July 24
Virginia 6, West Virginia 3.
North Carolina 10, Florida 0.
Thursday, July 25
Virginia 10, Florida 0.
Friday, July 26
Virginia vs. North Carolina, late.
Now the attention turns to the 11U Softball Team as it opens play in the Tournament of State Champions for the Southeast Region in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Little League Softball does not hold a World Series for 9-10-11 age group, so several different regionals hold TOSC tournaments.
Lake Mary is scheduled to face Virginia today (Saturday) at 5 p.m. according to GameChanger.
The 11U group was amazing at the State Tournament in Bonita Springs, winning 22-2 over the Estates All-Stars, 20-1, over the Blue Diamond All-Stars and 8-0 over the Tampa Bayshore All-Stars in the Championship Game.
Home Run Derby
Join the Lake Mary Little League on Sunday at Friendly Confines in Lake Mary for a watch party at 5 p.m. to cheer on the Bono cousins _ Addison and Landon _ as they battle it out in the East Regionals in Kansas City, Missouri, for their chance to make the Home Run Derby Finals during the Little League World Series later this summer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Friendly Confines will be giving back 15% of proceeds from the event to the 12U Baseball Team to help cover expenses as they head to Warner Robbins next week.
12U Baseball
Join the LMLL Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Lake Mary Little League Complex on Rantoul Lane to send off the boys, let’s make signs & line the sidewalks to send our boys off!
Stick around to watch them take game day infield/outfield and have a light practice before heading out to Georgia early Tuesday morning.
Hats will be available for purchase and the LMLL will be accepting any additional local donations or gift cards for team meals.
The 12U boys will be heading to the Southeast Regional in Warner Robins, Georgia, for the second straight year and have four young men back from the team that came within one win of advancing to the Little League World Series.
The 12U team will carry a 9-0 record into the Regional that begins on Thursday, August 1, and continues through Tuesday, August 6.
Here is the schedule for the opening day on August 1:
Georgia vs. North Carolina, 10 a.m.
Florida vs. South Carolina, 1 p.m.
Virginia vs. West Virginia, 4 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Alabama, 7 p.m.
Check with _ https://www.facebook.com/LakeMaryLittleLeague/_ or GameChanger for more information.
