Largo Little League Seniors Win District, Host Region Tournament

The Largo Little League Senior squad, made up of 15- and 16-year olds, finished off an impressive sweep of three straight wins Saturday to capture the crown of Little League Seniors District 12 champions at the District 12 tournament at Trinity the past week.

The win meant more for Largo. As a result of the impressive showing, Largo will host the region tournament beginning Friday at the Largo Little League fields at 6:30 p.m.

Largo won the district title by beating host East Lake for the second time in the double-elimination tournament, 10-4. Largo was able to accomplish this with pitcher Daniel Koker making his first start in postseason play. Koker struck out six and walked just one in a start that he had been looking forward to for some time.

"We had been working with him for two weeks," Largo manager Bob Gibree said. "He had been telling us he was wanting to start. It was a big game today. I asked Daniel if he was ready and he told he was had been ready for four days."

"I was a little nervous," said Koker, who also pitches for Largo High School. "Being nervous is usual for anybody. Once you start doing good you settle in and start going to work."

Koker did so well he is scheduled to pitch in Largo's second game of the region tournament this coming weekend.

It helped Koker that he got timely offense. Largo had a 6-0 lead but East Lake scratched their way back into the game when Steven Pitrilyak belted a two-run homer in the sixth to pretty much put East Lake on ice.

"I had struck out in my previous at-bat so I was looking for something to hit," Petrilyak said. "I got a pitch down the middle and I was able to get the barrel of the bat on the ball. I knew the runner at third base was important so I was just looking to get a hit."