Little League: DP 11U tops WG in exciting district final

WINTER GARDEN It seemed like each time Winter Garden chose to intentionally walk Dr. Phillips slugger Logan Wirt on Monday, Zachary Miller — the batter hitting behind Wirt — made them pay.

Miller's two-run double and two-run home run, in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, helped lead Dr. Phillips to an 11-7 victory in the Florida Little League District 14 11U Championship.

"(Miller) played better than I could ever imagine," manager Mike Roy said. "When they first walked Logan Wirt — the batter before him — I took him aside and I said 'this is a sign from them that they don't believe that you're able to hit the ball. You need to send them a message so that they don't do this again.' He stepped up to that challenge."

Miller and Wirt were not alone, though, in helping to lead DP past Winter Garden in an exciting game with several lead changes — nearly every player had to step up at one time or another to hlep gain the advantage in a matchup of two talented teams.

"That was one of the biggest reasons we were able to come back and find success and come away with the victory," Roy said. "We ended up all supporting each other."

The DPLL team includes Miller, Wirt, Ian Ballard, Micah Benson, David Dupuis, Jeremiah Granatstein, Mason Henrichsen, Connor Mangum, Carson Nordmann, Logan Roy, Joey Stubblebine and Michael Zaccardo. The team is coached by Mike Roy.

Dr. Phillips will next play in Sectionals, schedule for July 8-10 at its home field.

The WGLL team that finished as district runner-up includes Justin Grant, Max McClusky, Dylan Ostendorf, Holden Brauner, Aidan Brandenburg, Eli Steele, Noah Rittenberry, Jacob Iverson, Zale Lugo, Will McElveen, Mason Evers, Nick DeGeorge, Isaac Griffin and Elliott Jamison.