From the KEY WEST CITIZEN AND FREE PRESS
It was a summer to remember for the Key West 12U All-Stars. After claiming back-to-back titles in home tournaments, including the Babe Ruth World Series State Championship, the squad reassembled one final time as the Key West CDP Legacy 12U to compete at the Cooperstown Dreams Park.
Even though the next generation of Conchs would fall short in the semifinals, ending the summer at 15-2 overall, they still opened the event with a 5-0 mark, outscoring their opponents 83-33, but importantly made unforgettable memories which include a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
GAME 1
It was a show of power for Key West in the opening contest, with two home runs coming off the bat of Niko Prokurat for five RBI, two-run homers by Jayce Fernandez and Leo Thibault, and a solo shot by Tyrone Cervantes, who also won the golden arm award of the week. Kaden Savedra roped a double, while with singles were Kellen Lockwood, Brice Barth, and Alexander Wickers.
From the hill, Nicholas Talpasz tossed two shutout frames with a strikeout, Savedra tossed one inning allowing a run on a hit and walk with a strikeout and Wickers also went one inning.
GAME 2
KEY WEST 23, DOWN RIVER HAWKS 4
Despite never trailing in the game, Key West did let an early five-run advantage nearly slip away after giving up four runs in the first, but Tyrone Cervantes settled down from there lasting four innings and giving up just the four runs on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts, while Brice Barth closed out the win with a scoreless frame surrendering just a hit and striking out one.
Cervantes made sure the lead was good from the plate as well launching a pair of balls out of the park for six RBI during the decisive victory, aided by Jayce Fernandez’s perfect 3-for-3 showing, one also a home run for four RBI. In total, Key West had four home runs in the game, Kaden Savedra adding one as well as a single for three RBI, and Mason Waldner getting the other, a two-run shot. Leo T doubled and with singles were Alexander Wickers and Brice Barth.
GAME 3
KEY WEST 10,
PATRIOTS 5
It was not until a four-run fifth inning that Key West broke the game open but it was enough to hold onto a third straight sizable victory to being the tournament.
Despite winning by five, Key West outhit, 6-3, but one of those was a two-run home run by Jayce Fernandez, while with singles were Brice Barth and Kaden Savedra.
Niko Prokurat picked up the win on the mound, lasting three frames, giving up four runs, all unearned, on four hits with six strikeouts, while Nicholas Talpasz came in for the final three innings surrendering on unearned run on four hits with a strike out.
GAME 4
KEY WEST 16,
RENEGADES 3
In a game that was called after three and a half innings, Key West still did its damage from the plate, touching home seven times in both the second and third, led by another three home runs by Kaden Savedra, who also singled for three RBI, Leo T, and a three-run shot by Reef Rella. Adding to the onslaught, Tyrone Cervantes doubled in two runs, and with singles were Jayce Fernandez, Chay Blanco, Nicholas Talpasz and Niko Prokurat.
Rella was able to hold the Renegades’ bats at bay, striking out four in three innings while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, with Alexander Wickers tossing the final scoreless frame and giving up just a hit.
GAME 5
KEY WEST 9,
RAMSEY RENEGADES 8
With the game tied entering the sixth and final frame, Niko Prokurat produced a run on a two-base error, a steal of third, then came home on a wild pitch to put Key West in front by a run after the top of the inning. Alexander Wickers then retired the side in order in the bottom half of the sixth, part of his 2 2/3 innings of three-strikeout one-unearned run work, to earn the win.
Jayce Fernandez tossed the first three, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
For the first time all tournament, Key West did not have an extra-base hit from the dish but did have Nicholas connect on two singles, as with one apiece were Kaden Savedra, Leo Thibault, Niko Prokurat, Brice Barth, Wickers, and Fernandez.
GAME 6
AV SAMURAI 11,
KEY WEST 9
A win away from reaching the championship, Key West attempted to mount a comeback after falling behind by eight runs after the first four innings but ended up two shy to bring their run to a close.
Keeping their team in the game, Niko Prokurat, also with a single, and Kaden Saverdra both homered and drove in three runs, Jayce Fernandez reached with a pair of hits, and with one each was Mason Waldner, Brice Barth, and Chay Blanco.
Entering the game with his team trialing, Tyrone Cervantes held the AV Samurai to just one unearned run in the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, a walk with three strike outs.