The Florida Pokers 11u Team won their first Fall 2012 Tournament Championship on Sunday, as they defeated the South Florida Storm and West Boynton Vipers with convincing 8-0 performances!  The Pokers captured the Championship behind the Pitching of MVP – J.J. Toler, but Toler & his Coaches were quick to point out the Team’s outstanding defensive effort, particularly catcher Sawyer Feller, who gunned down multiple Viper base runners attempting to steal!  The Pokers Pitching & Defense were characterized by Runner-Up, Viper Coach as a “defensive clinic”.   The Championship Game was tightly contested as the Pokers clung to a 2-0 lead going into bottom of the 3^rd inning, when the Pokers offense awakened for a 6-Run explosion, led by Trevor Kole’s 2-RBI Double and Keanu Torres’ 2-RBI single.  In addition to Kole & Torres, the Pokers received outstanding defense, aggressive base running, & timely offense from Justin Gonzalez, Colin Flynn, Sawyer Feller, J.J. Toler, Luis Fuentes, Jet Lica, Chris Satcher, & newcomer, Michael Pratt.  Although absent from Sunday’s games, the Pokers received major contributions from Richie Pena, Nick Anello, and Tim Manning, allowing the Pokers to take the #1 Seed into the elimination round. 

Manager John Calabrese remarked, “Our bats were sluggish to begin both games today, but our Pitching and Defense kept us in them until the bats heated up…We have a number of new players and our Team is just beginning to gel, but this Championship shows that these boys are coming together as a special group, one that we believe can contend on a National level against Competitive Youth Baseball’s Best.”  In addition to Manager Calabrese, the Florida Pokers 11U are led by Coaches Chris Satcher, Steve Lica, & Mark Toler, as well as Scott Feller and owner, Lenny Roberts.  Congratulations to the Florida Pokers 11U Players, Coaches and very dedicated Parents!  GREAT JOB & GO POKERS!!