Ocoee Little League Astros take top spot in Top Team Minor League tournament

The Ocoee Little League Minors (ages 9-10) Astros earned a championship banner on their home field June 4, closing the Florida District 14 Top Team tournament with a 7-6 victory over Dr. Phillips Little League in extra innings.

The victory concluded a three-game sweep for the Astros at the Top Team tournament, during which the boys from Ocoee outscored their opponents 34-13. During the regular season at Ocoee Little League, the Astros bested the competition with a final record of 17-3, making the 2017 season one to remember for the group of local ballplayers.

“I think our communication skills is what really sets us apart,” manager Shawn Butler said. “As a coaching staff, that’s what we focus on.”

In addition to strong communication between players and one another, Butler said his team played strong defense all spring and into the summer, helping the team win games even when they did not hit up to their potential.

“Our defense and our pitching were our strongest points,” Butler said. “Later in the season, the hits started coming. … Our main thing is we were really focused on defense.”

That emphasis on defense and pitching came in handy in the thrilling final game of the Top Team tournament, which took seven innings. During the game, Butler recalls his son, Braylan, returning to the dugout after pitching four innings and admitting that he was shaking out on the mound.

Luckily, Braylan and the Astros kept their composure against a talented team from Dr. Phillips — and they have the championship banner to prove it.

“I was super proud of them,” Butler said. “It was a tough game, there’s no question.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].