Dunedin Little League All-Stars Electrify District, Head To Sectionals

Greater Dunedin Little League's 11- and 12-year-old all-star team got off to a commanding start against East Lake as both teams scrapped for the District 12 title under the lights at Fisher Field in an exhilarating, 10-9 nail-biter Tuesday.

Four hits nearly undid Dunedin, but the 12 young ballplayers turned out on top in that championship game. They'll head to Dunedin Little League's first majors all-star sectional appearance since 2006.

Dunedin kept the scoreboard well-lit with consistent hitting, early and often, really igniting in the third inning after Josh Collett poked a single to left field. JD Marks knocked him in on the game's first home run, and apparently it set the rest of the dugout on fire, because Decker Johnson followed him with his first career homer. Up next, Derek Dormois smashed a double to right center field, eventually scoring on a pass ball, ratcheting up the lead to a comfortable 7-0. In the fourth, Marks hit a sequel home run, driving in Jonathan Hubbard, who had doubled on a healthy knock to right center.

Dunedin carried its 9-0 lead over East Lake until the fifth inning, when the team began fighting hard against Collett's pitching. Collett worked four batters, most to a full count, before walking them one by one. A fifth batter hit a grand slam. Collett hung it up on a strikeout and, then, coaches called on Marks to relieve him. By that time, East Lake's bats were awake and ready to hit. The team loaded the bases against Marks and managed to find another grand slam in their arsenal, tying the score in one fell swoop.

But Dunedin's Dereck Dormois returned East Lake's fifth inning beating with the game-winning home run.

Shortstop Ray Sass, third baseman Jared McGarrity, and Dereck Dormois each played solid defense with critical plays. Decker Johnson also came up with a stellar play in the outfield, nearly colliding with a fall-to-the-ground catch in right center.

Hubbard (starter), Collett and Marks each saw time on the mound.

The Dunedin Majors face the Dunnellon Little League All-Stars at Keystone Little League, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa, on Friday at 8 p.m. 

Dunedin plays again 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday at Keystone.

The winner of this three-day Sectional moves to the State Championship for a shot at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.

• The Dunedin players: Ray Sass, Jonathan Hubbard, Josh Collett, JD Marks, Ian Adams, Konner Stine, Jared McGarrity, Derek Dormois, Matt Marron, Arturo Vaquez, Ryan Rupe and Decker Johnson.
• Coaches: Andy Sass, Leo Collett and Jeff Marks.