[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1181-E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM WINS THE FLORIDA STATE CLASS 5A 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2008

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with much pride that I 
rise today to congratulate the Dunedin High .School Baseball team for 
winning the Florida State Class 5A Championship. The Falcons of 
Dunedin, who I have the privilege to represent, won the championship in 
an extra innings showdown against the South Fork Bulldogs.
  The Falcons won the championship in a ten inning marathon, the 
longest Florida State baseball championship game since 1997. The 
defense and pitching were excellent, keeping the score tied at two runs 
apiece until Max Priest scored the winning run for Dunedin on a Max 
Kreuter single.
  It was only through a season of hard work--both on and off of the 
field--that the Falcons finished with a 26-6 record on their way to the 
school's first state baseball title in 44 years. It is a testament to 
the character of these young men, and they deserve to be congratulated. 
But let us not forget to send our congratulations to Coach Tom Hilbert 
who worked tirelessly as a coach and as a mentor to the team. I would 
also like to congratulate the parents of the players, as well as the 
teachers, administrators and the staff of Dunedin High School for doing 
a fantastic job of raising and encouraging these exceptional student--
athletes. Following my remarks, I will include for my colleagues the 
full story of Dunedin's Baseball Championship as reported by The St. 
Petersburg Times.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, please join me in congratulating the 
Dunedin High School Falcons for their outstanding achievement in 
winning the Florida State Baseball Championship.

             [From the St. Petersburg Times, May 15, 2008]

                 Long Wait Is Over: Dunedin Wins Title

       Sarasota--It began the moment the ball disappeared into 
     Cammeron Fisher's glove. Seconds later, a swarm of triumphant 
     Dunedin players rushed toward the mound to celebrate a 3-2 
     victory and the school's first state baseball title in 44 
     years.
       ``This is something you dream about,'' Fisher said. ``To 
     make the final out is unbelievable, especially going through 
     so many ups and downs in a game like this.''
       There already were lingering memories--of the heart-
     wrenching moments in the seventh inning, of the nail-biting 
     rally in extra innings, of a game snatched from defeat--that 
     the players swore they never doubted.
       The winning run scored in the top of the 10th inning when 
     Max Kreuter singled in

[[Page E1182]]

     Max Priest against Stuart South Fork. The two played the 
     longest championship game since 1997.
       ``It was a little nerve-racking, but we have so many bats 
     in this lineup that we knew we had a chance,'' Kreuter said.
       But this game was won with defense and pitching.
       The Falcons had a two-run lead then watched it disappear 
     when the Bulldogs scored a run each in the third and fifth 
     innings to tie it.
       In the seventh, South Fork (27-6) had runners on first and 
     third with no outs. The Falcons walked the next runner to 
     load the bases.
       At that point, Dunedin was desperate to win--and keep its 
     state title hopes from vanishing.
       ``We were on the edge of our seats at that point,'' Dunedin 
     coach Tom Hilbert said. ``Our backs were against the wall. 
     But we were able to maintain our composure.''
       Slowly, the Falcons (26-6) found a way to wiggle out of the 
     jam.
       Alex Norris, who came on in relief of Clay Kollenbaum, got 
     the first and only batter he faced to ground out.
       Jake Rogers came in next and got the next two batters to 
     strike out and fly out.
       ``It was just incredible to come out of that the way we 
     did,'' Rogers said. ``I had so much adrenaline going.''
       Beneath the noise, tension and pressure, Rogers emerged 
     more as a survivor than a closer.
       With so much at stake, Rogers knew he couldn't afford to 
     make mistakes. He escaped unharmed, throwing 3\1/3\ innings 
     after pitching just three before Thursday's appearance.
       ``Jake was just phenomenal,'' Hilbert said. ``It was a real 
     gutsy performance.''
       It remained scoreless through the next three innings.
       Then the Falcons, after squandering so many chances, made 
     something happen in the 10th. Priest led off the inning by 
     drawing a walk, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by 
     Mike Kumbat and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Priest 
     scored on Kreuter's single.
       Rogers then finished things off. The moment Fisher caught 
     the ball, Rogers sprung off the mound, shook his fist, 
     twirled in a crazy leap and came down to earth knowing he 
     would be able to sleep.
       ``I think all of us are going to pass out on the bus on the 
     ride home,'' Rogers said. ``It was such a draining game, so 
     full of emotions.
       ``But it was so worth it to win like this.''

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