Little League: Dr. Phillips celebrates 3 district titles in 3 days

Dr. Phillips Little League has had a very good week in District 14 All-Stars competition.

Starting with the championship on Sunday for the Minors (10U) softball tournament, the boys and girls from DPLL claimed three district championships in three days: the Minors (10U) softball title on Sunday, the 11-and-under title baseball title on Monday and the Minors (10U) baseball title on Tuesday.

All three are impressive accomplishments for the community at DPLL, but perhaps the softball championship stands out the most as it represents the league's first district title in any softball age group since 2006.

The girls from Dr. Phillips won the deciding game in a best-of-three series against Windermere Little League June 26 in walk-off fashion, topping Windermere 7-6 and securing a berth in the sectional tournament.

"I think everybody kind of knew that the potential was there and that it was just kind of untapped," manager Jes Willis said. "It was a nail-biter and it was exciting."

The team's roster includes Julia Benamati, Martrece Boyd, Grace Grant, Angelina LaVerdi, Leona Masangkay, Miranda Murch, Tessa Olofson, Campbell Romero, Kaylee Romese, Annabelle Sharp, Molly Sheridan and Ryen Wood. The team is coached by Willis and assistants Matt Grant and Chad Wood.

A day later, on Monday, the 11-and-under baseball All-Stars edged out Winter Garden in an exciting, back-and-forth game for an 11-7 victory. For a recap of that game, and rosters for the teams that competed, go HERE.

Finally, to cap the stretch, the Minors baseball team topped Windermere - American 6-4 in the district final.

The team includes Garrett Lorfano, Johnny Jenkins, Owen Jacobs, Blake Hidalgo, Jack Waddingham, Connor Koivu, Christian Cantwell, Taylor Harris, Brandon Lohr, Madden Bourst, Javier Centeno, Palmer Haynes, T.D. Cross and Sam Collingwood. The team is coached by manager Gary Lorfano and coaches Joe Haynes and Bob Lohr.

Section 5 tournaments for the three advancing teams are scheduled for July 8-10. The Minors and 11-and-under baseball tournaments will take place at Dr. Phillips Little League, while the softball tournament will take place at St. Cloud Little League.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].