Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It has been an up and down season for the local traveling baseball team out of Lee, the North Florida Ballhogz. The 13U team, which features several local players from Madison County Central School and Madison Creative Arts Academy, finished their 2021 summer season with a trip to Sarasota for a big baseball tournament. The Ballhogz finished the weekend with a 3-2 record for the tournament.
The final tournament of the season began on Wednesday, June 23, against the CFL PRIDE PRIME 13U team. The Ballhogz were able to hold off the PRIDE PRIME and take a 6-5 victory.
The Ballhogz had a triple-header on Friday, June 25. The day began with a tough game against the Kangaroo Court Roos American team. The Roos established an early lead and didn't look back, posting a seven-run fifth inning to take the contest, 12-2.
The Ballhogz bounced back during their second game of the day, shutting out the TBSA Patriots, 1-0. The day ended on a high note for the Ballhogz as Logan Hurst and Dalton McNutt combined efforts on the mound to throw a two-hit shut-out and help lead the Ballhogz to an 8-0 win over Team Orlando Red.
Then, on Saturday, June 26, the Ballhogz had a rematch with the Roos. This time, the Ballhogz held their own a little better, but the game still ended with a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Kangaroo Court Roos American team.
The Ballhogz finished their 2021 campaign with an overall record of 13-12-2.