The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH Freedom Farm opted not to travel to Grand Bahama this year, the Bahamas Baseball Federation's (BBF) 13th annual Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championship got off to a great start on Thursday.

Teddy Sweeting, the Federation's secretary general, who also serves as the tournament director, said that five islands are represented: Eleuthera, Abaco (North and Central), Long Island, Exuma and Grand Bahama. They are competing in the Major (11-12 year division), Junior (13-15 year division), High School (16-18) and the College (18 and over) division.

Sweeting said that they were informed by Freedom Farm that, due to financial constraints, they were not able to send teams to the tournament. He noted that while they will be missed, the BBFstill anticipates a competitive tournament.

The event is being sponsored by Insurance Management, GBPC, Gatorade, The Show Village, Summit Insurance and FOCOL.

First day results

JBLN All-Stars 16

Abaco All-Stars 1

Malik Kemp, giving up the only run in the top of the first inning, fired a two-hitter with six strike outs and two base-on balls in four innings before Seth Walcott came in as relief to preserve the win in the fifth as the JBLN went on an offensive tear against losing pitcher Kefron Wright.

JBLN exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning to snatch a commanding lead and they never looked back, adding four more in the second in two in the third.

Kemp, batting third in the line-up, also helped his own cause by going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored; shortstop Damian Flowers was a perfect 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored; centre fielder Alejandro Decardenas was 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored and both first baseman Owen Taylor and catcher Amahi McPhee were both 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

Shortstop Makeo Baillou went 1-for-2 and scored the only run for Abaco on centre fielder Kaleb Albury's RBI on his 1-for-2 outing.

Grand Bahama 5

Legacy Hurricanes 3

In a battle between two Grand Bahama teams, winning pitcher Morgan Hanna helped his own cause by going 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Hanna got the win on the mound as he came in relief for starter Khanadi Austin.

Third baseman Deranai Russell went 1-for-2, scoring twice to help out.

For the Hurricanes, third baseman Bent Burrows was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored; second baseman Kevron Knowles was 1-for-1 with a RBI and shortstop Orxavier Saint was 1-for-3.

Tiontae Russell suffered the loss.

Grand Bahama Little League 8

Abaco 3

Left fielder Dominiquen Collie had a perfect 3-for-3 day with three RBI and a run scored; left fielder McKell Bethel was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored and third baseman Tahnaj Thomas was 1-for-1 with a RBI and a run scored to pace Grand Bahama in their 13-15 win.

Oniel Pritchard was the winning pitcher and Vernon Johnson suffered the loss.

First baseman Brad Albury was 1-for-3 with two RBI and both second baseman Dillon Albury and catcher Moscell Smith went 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Eleuthera All-Stars 11

Exuma League 1

D'Angelo Young spun a no-hitter with five strike outs, giving up an unearned run in Eleuthera's abbreviated 13-15 age group three inning victory. Young, the lead off batter, also enjoyed a good day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Second baseman Rekenley Prene, who followed Young, was also 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored and catcher Christopher Lloyd was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

JBLN 11

Grand Bahama 4

Shortstop Trent Deveaux went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored to pace JBLN in their 13-15 age group win. Third baseman Jamal Davis was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored; third baseman Scottie Roberts was 1-for-1 with two runs scored; catcher Devaughan Laing and center fielder Carl Rahming were both 1-for-1 with a RBI and second baseman Austin Knowles 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Coby Cartwright was the winning pitcher and Shevanno Munroe was tagged with the loss.

JBLN 10

Long Island 0

Chartam Ferguson cranked up a no-hit, two walk shutout with six strike outs for JBLN's 13-15 ge group abbreviated thee-inning decision.

Left fielder Jake Knowles was 1-for-1 with two RBI and two runs scored; third baseman Jamal Davis was 1-for-1 with a RBI and a run scored and shortstop Trent Deveaux was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

Abaco All-Stars 9

Long Island 5

Centre fielder Kennedy Curry was 1-for-2 with three RBI; left fielder Adrien Newbold was 1-for-1 with a RBI and a run scored; catcher Moscell Smith was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored; shortstop Samuel Cooper was 1-for-2 with a run scored and first baseman Brad Albury was 1-for-1 with a run scored in Abaco's 13-15 age group win.

Deangelo McIntosh was the winning pitcher and Enrico Wells suffered the loss.

Shortstop Keano Cartwright was hitless, but drove in a run and scored twice, while second baseman Ricardo Cartwright and catcher Enrico Wells scored two and one run respectively, despite not getting a hit as well.

JBLN 8

Legacy 4

Right fielder Michael Butler and left fielder Chase Debut were both 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored and catcher Yokito Pinder and Shamall Forbes were 1-for-2 with a run scored as JBLN doubled up their Grand Bahama 16-18 age group rivals.

Natahj Miller was the winning pitcher and Yeshua Saint was the loser.

Third baseman Neulon Rolle was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored; second baseman Orveo Saint was 1-for-1 with a RBI and Stuart was 1-for-3 with a two runs scored.

NPABL 16

Grand Bahama 1

This was a lop-sided senior game as New Providence took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and exploded for 10 more runs in the third, adding two in the fourth before Grand Bahama finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth.

Right fielder Keanu Thompson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and two run scored; catcher Zhivargo Laing was 1-for-2 with a RBI and three runs scored; third baseman Sherman Ferguson was 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored and designated player Keron Sands was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored.

Lorenzo Williams tossed a no-hitter, walking five and striking out four for the win Sebrion Mackey suffered the loss as he gave up five hits, struck out five and hit one with a pitch.

The tournament continue today and tomorrow with the round robin play. The finals in all divisions will be contested on Sunday.