- November 23, 2024
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Palm Coast's 12U all-star team celebrates their district championship win over DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Benjamin Apfelbach slides across home plate against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Cody Clymer throws a pitch against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Pitcher Cody Clymer throws a ball against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Gabe Breckenridge throws a ball to first base against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Isaac Trawick is mobbed by teammates at home plate after Trawick's home run in the fifth inning. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Dalton Roberts swings at a pitch against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Dalton Roberts swings at a pitch against DeLand. Photo by Ray Boone
Isaac Trawick and his teammates on Palm Coast’s 12U all-star team always talk about Trawick’s “warning-track power.” Early in the first inning of Palm Coast’s district final against DeLand, Trawick blasted a ball that nearly eclipsed the leftfield fence, with the near-home run serving as a tidy 2 RBI double.
Trawick was quiet for much of the remainder of the game. He was waiting for the right moment. Then, in the top of the fifth inning, his moment came: an inside throw — one of his favorite pitches to swing at.
The sound of ball meeting bat was piercing.
Without even taking a glance to see where the ball ended up, Trawick bolted for first base.
“I was listening for two things,” Trawick said. “The sound of the bat and the sound of the people behind me. I knew that thing was gone.”
The ball carried the left field fence — a two-run shot that added to Palm Coast’s already large lead.
Palm Coast run-ruled DeLand, a team they already run-ruled in the postseason opener, 23-1 to win the District 19 championship on the night of Thursday, July 5, at the Indian Trails Sports Complex.
Head coach Doug Berryhill praised the team’s talent across the roster.
“They're aggressive at the plate, and they always keep fighting," he said.
In addition, Berryhill said the team’s practices have paved the way for big-hitting nights like Thursday. The players have batting practice for 20 minutes each practice, followed by a scrimmage. The pitchers they face at practice are the key.
“Every single practice, they’re facing quality pitching,” Berryhill said. “And I think that has a lot to do with it — besides the fact that they’re great hitters throughout the entire season.”
Palm Coast’s 12U team hasn’t advanced to the state tournament since 2015. However, last year’s 11U team, with the majority of those kids now playing on the current 12U team, did very well in last year’s tournament. With the win over DeLand, Palm Coast advanced to sectionals, which will take place on July 14 at Indian Trails.
Berryhill said having the event on their home field will be a great chance for residents to see the value Little League brings to the community.
“I hope people fall in love with Palm Coast Little League and what baseball can do,” he said.
