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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021
YOUNG STARS TAKE TO THE DIAMOND IN KEY WEST UPPER KEYS TEAM WINS TOURNAMENT
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baseball tournament and skills competition in Key West on July 17 brought the best out of players throughout the island chain. Teams from the Upper Keys, Marathon and Key West took to the diamond for a series of games. The Upper Keys faced off against Marathon in the championship game having given up the fewest runs in their two prior games. Coached by Rob Paul and Bryan O’Berry, the Upper Keys Little League team came home with the tournament trophy. The Upper Keys team defeated Marathon in game one, while Key West defeated the Upper Keys in game two. Marathon defeated Key West in game three. Paul said the players practiced hard ahead of the tournament. “Even with the initial loss to Key West in the middle of the tournament, they held their composure and moved forward and won the final round,” he said. O’Berry said many players have played in recreational leagues since March. “These kids have been practicing every single day,” he said. — Weekly staff report
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2 BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. For more game photos visit ShadyPalmPhotography.com 1. Marathon’s Jack Chapman, right, looks to the umpire for the call. 2. The Marathon team celebrates after a home run by Jack Chapman. 3. Marathon’s Dylan Williams dives to second, guarded by Key West’s Xavi Perez. 4. Marathon’s Jack Chapman rounds the bases on a home run. 5. Marathon’s Micah Saunders, left, races Key West’s Matthew Ovido to the plate. 6. Marathon pitcher Curren Nicolay delivers a pitch during Marathon’s win over Key West. 7. Upper Keys Little League shortstop Adrian Mesa slides in safely at home under the nose of Marathon catcher Micah Saunders. 8. Marathon’s third baseman Shane Dieguez, left, makes a play on Key West runner Xavi Perez. 9. Marathon’s Luca Picariello, left, keeps an eye on Key West’s Xavi Perez. 10. Marathon shortstop Jack Chapman goes up to make a play as Key West’s Xavi Perez slides safely into second.
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