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PG Series | PG Series Classic | 7/27/2019

South walks-off 11u PG Series

Autumn Jones

Photo: South (Perfect Game)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Team South clinched the 11u PG Series Classic title undefeated. This year’s event allocated some of the top youth talent in a near week-long tournament. Entering the final matchup both teams sat at the top of their pool, until South overcame North Saturday afternoon to take the 11u PG Series championship, 7-6.

Opposing team North held the lead in the fourth where they scored five of their six runs. A scoreless fifth inning allowed North to hold onto the lead and as they were up two runs, but team South’s compelling response in the sixth delivered an unanticipated finale as they successfully finished the series a perfect 5-0.

A triple from Bode Handwork (2025, Merritt Island, Fla.) followed by a walk-off homerun from MVP Landon Ide (2025, Fort Myers, Fla.) in the bottom of the sixth scored three and gave South the lead to secure the title victory.

Handwork scored two of the three revival runs and also pitched in on the mound by allowing three hits and a walk, while striking out four in his three innings for South. Fort Myers native, Nicholas Raber, came in as the relief allowing four hits and not a single walk while striking out four batters in his two innings.

But the performance that earned the win wasn’t just a comeback for the team, but for the playmaker himself. Landon Ide, who scored one of the three comeback runs in the sixth, went 1-for-2 with a solid homer and suitably earned MVP for the series. Besides, earning such honor was quite familiar for the primary first baseman and righthanded pitcher, who won the award last year in 10u PG Series Classic. Ide also finished as a finalist in the events Home Run Derby on Tuesday.

In what one would call a remarkable six inning, Head Coach Chance Willard united Ide at third and raced him home with tremendous joy. Willard reflects on how a confidence boast was all Ide needed to respond and end a perfect week.

“Landon was beating himself up a lot this week and I said, ‘Landon you got to stay confident and keep having fun like you do,’ and he came up big for us and won us the game. So, it was awesome.”

Along with Coach Willard’s encouragement stands commendable teamwork and support for one another – from acquiring the language barriers, wearing one another’s native sleeves and simply appreciating one another. Coach Willard reflects on winning the series and just how special this team’s bond is.

“It means everything,” added Willard. “They’ve worked so hard and they played so great all week. They’re a great group of kids. They love being out here, they love each other is the biggest thing. They had so much fun, especially with the language barrier they made it work and our guys learned so much. We got American kids wearing Dominican Republic sleeves and we got Dominican kids wearing American/USA sleeves. It’s been a perfect week.”

Willard, who also coaches at the collegiate level, is quite familiar working with a diverse group and appreciates the individuality. This series assembled talented teams and brought together players from all over. In the title game, North were made up of players from Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. On the other hand, South were comprised of players mainly from Florida and even Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

“It’s awesome,” added Willard. “Being a college coach too in Alabama we have the same thing - kids from all over. So, it was very easy for me to get these guys together and have a good comradery- that’s the biggest thing and it was perfect.”

Santo Domingo Native, Ernesto Ramirez (2025) went 1-for-2 in the game with a double and two runs scored. The primary third baseman and outfielder had solid behind performance behind the plate and drove in a run in a second inning revival where South held onto a 3-1 lead.

The series MV-Pitcher was earned by North’s Luke Anderson. The righthander's top performance came on Friday before the last run where he allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four in his complete six-inning game.

2019 11u PG Series Classic runner-up: North