Outfielder Colin Lonsberry's Hitting Streak Led Team in State Championship

Largo Senior Little League head coach Bob Gibree had no explanation
for outfielder Colin Lonsberry’s hot hitting streak during his team’s run to the state championship earlier this month.

“He had a two-run homer and a grand slam in the sectionals, and he had a grand slam in the states, plus another home run," Gibree said last week. "He was crazy in the middle of our batting order, just crazy.”

You can forgive the coach for acting incredulous over his player’s
accomplishments, since the Clearwater High junior can hardly explain it himself.

“I was just hitting the ball really well. I don’t think I’ve ever done that good hitting,” the humble 16-year-old said after his team was eliminated in the Southeast Regional ten days earlier. “I was just in a hot zone.”

That is the proverbial understatement.

Lonsberry, who hit no home runs and had seven runs batted in in 19 games for the Tornadoes last spring, smacked four homers and drove in 25 runs during the Largo Seniors’ 14-game postseason run, which included a District 12 title, a Section 7 championship, and the first ever Florida state championship for a Greater Largo Little League team.

His most memorable moment was his grand slam in the first inning of the first game of the state tournament against North Lakeland.

After Largo fell behind, 2-0 in the top of the first, Lonsberry’s slam helped propel the team to a huge 9-2 victory.

“I knew it was a big game, trying to get the first game of the state tournament. It was a good feeling (to hit that home run),”he recalled.

Despite his prolific production in the middle of an All Star lineup loaded with offensive talent, the 2011 postseason experience only served to further motivate Lonsberry to repeat his team success.

Asked if he will take the experience and utilize it when it comes time to take the field next season for Clearwater High, Lonsberry was cautious yet confident.

“Our team at Clearwater High is pretty solid…so hopefully I can be a part of another great run.”

No matter what happens in the future, Lonsberry will never forget what took place on the diamond this summer.

“The whole time I just had so much fun. I learned so much about baseball and life in general. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

“This is the farthest a Largo team has ever gone in like 50 years. I’m glad I got to be a part of that.”