- April 7, 2025
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P.J. Trettner swings at a pitch against Deltona. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Jack Rossheim prepares to throw a ball to first base. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Justin Gardner throws a ball to second base. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Dylan Vanderbur swings at a pitch. Photo by Ray Boone
P.J. Trettner eyes home plate against Deltona. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast Little Leaguers high five after scoring a run. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Jack Rossheim throws the ball to second base for an out. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Jack Rossheim throws the ball to second base for an out.Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Jack Rossheim scoops up a ground ball. Photo by Ray Boone
Dylan Vanderbur throws a pitch against Deltona. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's Nick Pandich runs for third base. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast coach Doug Berryhill instructs one of his players. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast's P.J. Trettner slides across home plate. Photo by Ray Boone
P.J. Trettner throws a pitch against Deltona. Photo by Ray Boone
Dylan Vanderbur throws a pitch against Deltona. Photo by Ray Boone
Palm Coast Little League’s 10-and-under all-star team tasted defeat in the opening game of postseason play, losing to DeLand 9-7 on the afternoon of Sunday, June 16, in DeLand.
“We did a lot of great things,” Palm Coast head coach Doug Berryhill said. “But we also did a lot of things that weren’t very good.”
As a result of Sunday’s loss, Palm Coast was tasked with facing Deltona on the afternoon of Monday, June 17 — this time at the Indian Trails Sports Complex in Palm Coast.
Palm Coast got off to a hot start, eventually run-ruling Deltona 22-3 in the fourth inning.
“We learned not to make the same mistakes over and over again,” Palm Coast's Keanin Striplin said. “Each game we’re getting better and better.”
The boys showed poise both at the plate and on defense.
P.J. Trettner, who was moved from the No. 3 spot to the leadoff spot, went 4-for-4 from the plate and had 8 RBIs. Elijah Avila made several great defensive plays. And pitcher Dylan Vanderbur struck out two batters, did not give up a walk and surrendered only one run in three innings of work — he also threw under 35 pitches.
“Dylan was just fantastic,” Berryhill said.
Palm Coast scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning before Deltona got a chance to hit. Deltona tacked on two more runs and almost scored a third, but the runner shoved Vanderbur, who was playing catcher at the time, on his way to home plate and was called out.
Avila helped record the second out when he scooped up a ground ball and tossed into to Justin Gardner at second base. Gardner caught a pop up to end the game.
And despite the large margin of victory, Berryhill doesn’t see Monday’s bounce-back win as a confidence booster.
“I think confidence will come during the game,” he said. “If we get off to a good start, if we make the plays, if we play good defense, I think we’ll gain confidence as time goes by.”
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