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Lake Minneola bats, Maddux Bultema’s arm send rival South Lake packing
TL;DR
Lake Minneola defeated South Lake 11-1 in the Class 6A, District 5 championship, powered by four home runs and strong pitching from Maddux Bultema. This victory marks Minneola's seventh consecutive regional qualification.
Key points
- Lake Minneola won 11-1 against South Lake
- Maddux Bultema struck out five batters
- The team hit four home runs during the game
- Fabian Antonsanti hit two home runs
- This victory qualifies Lake Minneola for regionals
Lake MinneolaSouth LakeMaddux BultemaFabian Antonsanti
Lake Minneola’s bats woke up in a big way Friday, and Maddux Bultema’s pitching arm was too much for South Lake. The Hawks homered four times and Bultema struck out five as Minneola ended its rival’s season with an 11-1, five-inning, run-rule victory in the Class 6A, District 5 championship game Friday night.
Shortstop Fabian Antonsanti started the fireworks with an opposite-field dinger to lead off the Minneola half of the first, and it ignited a flurry. Minneola took advantage of back-to-back hit batsmen in the second and Bultema helped himself with a two-run double as the Hawks built a 5-0 lead after two innings.
RJ Martell homered in the third and then Antonsanti smashed another leadoff homer in the fourth inning. Antonsanti crushed his second dinger and he knew it was gone immediately, tossing the bat in the air before he got to his third step.
That was followed by three straight singles and then a 3-run long ball from Colson May and the Hawks were on their way to their seventh straight regional qualification.
Lake Minneola coach Dr. Kerry Whetro was pleased with the offensive output, and it was an exhibition he had not seen this season. It comes with perfect timing in the heat of the playoffs.
“This could have been a school record, four home runs, and we had three or four extra-base hits. Yeah, we hit the ball well,” Whetro said of the Hawks, who had 11 hits. “It’s coming at a good time.
“The guys have been working hard. They put extra time in and we had some good batting practices this week. I’m happy for them.”
The Brotherly Bultema Battery of junior pitcher Maddux and sophomore catcher Nolan had the South Lake hitters baffled. Bultema was on top of his game, painting corners and working the zone high and low. He mixed it up well with his fast ball and off-speed stuff.
“He did work the zone well, in and out all the time. His brother called a really good game for him,” said the 66-year-old Whetro, who is in his eighth year as Minneola coach after previously spending 12 seasons coaching at South Lake. “After the first inning, he settled in, got his mechanics straightened out and he looked really good.”
District Baseball Tournaments
CLASS 7A-3
Friday
Championship: Hagerty 7, Winter Park 6
Buzz: Matthew Logan went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI for Winter Park (15-12) in the loss to Hagerty (17-7).
CLASS 7A-44
Friday
Championship: Lake Mary 2, West Orange 1
Q&A
What was the final score of the Lake Minneola vs South Lake game?
Lake Minneola won the game against South Lake with a final score of 11-1.
Who hit the home runs for Lake Minneola in the championship game?
Fabian Antonsanti and Colson May were among the players who hit home runs for Lake Minneola.
How many strikeouts did Maddux Bultema have in the game?
Maddux Bultema recorded five strikeouts during the championship game.
What does this victory mean for Lake Minneola's playoff chances?
This victory secures Lake Minneola's seventh consecutive regional qualification in the playoffs.
