EAST MANATEE — Call it déjà vu. That’s how to best describe Austin Keefer’s second start in the District 26 9s-and-10s All-Star Tournament at Braden River Park.
Keefer’s five shutout innings along with some early runs propelled Manatee East past Manatee American 7-0 under overcast skies on Thursday.
Manatee East (4-0) stayed atop the standings in the round robin portion of the Manatee County tournament.
They did so in much the same fashion as their first victory.
Manatee East scrapped runs together early and rode Keefer’s dominant right-arm last week.
That recipe for success was duplicated Thursday night.
“This was the second game Austin’s pitched,” Manatee East manager Ted Berg said. “It’s the second game where he’s gone five strong innings . . . he’s just pitching with a lot of confidence.”
And just like his post-game interview one week ago, Keefer gave credit to his defense.
“I love playing with them,” said Keefer about his defenders following a 70-pitch performance.
Keefer did it from the mound and from the batter’s box when it mattered most. The 11-year-old (league age 10) drove in two runs with a double to the left-center field wall in the bottom of the first.
He later scored as Manatee East tallied four runs.
Leadoff man Rhett Rampinelli (2-for-3, run) paced the offense, scoring a run that proved more than enough for Keefer, who scattered three hits.
Manatee American (2-2) hitters struck out four times against Keefer’s variety of pitches.
He used a four-seam fastball with a two-seamer and a change up to keep batters off-balance.
However, Manatee American put runners on base in each inning during Keefer’s stint on the hill.
Problem was they just couldn’t cash in.
“This was the first game that we probably have really been challenged as far as every pitch, that someone can throw strikes,” Manatee American manager Ryan Moore said. “You have to give credit where credit is due, and (Keefer) just overpowered our guys.”
That fit into the “just let them hit it” strategy. Manatee American batters made contact often, but Keefer induced them into slapping balls at his fielders more times than not.
Garrett Richelieu took the loss, but he went 1-for-3 with the lone Manatee American extra base hit when the right-hander popped a double in the first inning.
The loss dropped Manatee American into a tie with Braden River for the final spot in the double elimination portion of the tournament that begins after pool play ends.
Both teams face each other at 7 p.m. today. Three games are scheduled barring any inclement weather.
n Also Thursday, Braden River beat Manatee National 10-2.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@