St. Cloud Edges Celebration To Advance

It was a game St. Cloud Manager Travis Johnson only could call a dog fight. When the dust settled Tuesday, the second-seeded Bulldogs were top dog with a 2-1 win and on their way to Friday’s district championship, where they’ll face top-seeded Lake Nona in a quest for their first district title.

Tanner Campbell hit a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fifth for the winning run for the Bulldogs (17-6).

Tuesday’s game came down to pitching as St. Cloud’s Sam Allen dueled with Celebration’s Cooper White. Allen pitched a complete game, striking out seven and allowing six hits while White struck out eight and allowed three hits in six innings.

“Both pitchers threw very well. Credit to Coach Jay Welsh. He has done a great job with that team,” Johnson said. “We hit a lot of balls hard and at guys. Sam Allen didn’t have his great stuff early but found it in the fifth and was in command after that. Sam is a special player who doesn’t come along very often. I’m very proud of the way he stayed composed and competed tonight. Pitching Coach David Kellerberg did a great job with him as he has done all year with our pitching staff.”

Johnson also had praise for Campbell.

“He has worked so hard and been one of the great captains on this team,” he said.

Alejandro Garcia scored on a wild pitch for St. Cloud in the bottom of the first as the Bulldogs built an early lead.

Celebration’s Nick Matos’ sacrifice fly scored Steven Castaneda to even the score at 1-1 in the top of the second.

All eyes now on Friday’s championship as enthusiasm builds for a milestone for the St. Cloud program.

“We are looking forward to accomplishing our first goal of a district championship on Friday against a tough Lake Nona team,” Johnson said.

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