Tonight, in Omaha, Nebraska, the Texas A&M and Tennessee baseball players are fulfilling their lifelong dream of playing for a national championship.

On June 14, an area 12U travel ball baseball team got a taste of that with their own championship facing some of the best competition in the country.

The 12U Naturals North baseball team, representing players from the Gainesville and Lake City area, won the Cal Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The event featured 36 teams from across the nation, and the Naturals went 9-0 to win the event.

“The Pigeon Forge experience was one like no other,” said Esix Snead, who owns and manages the team. “The facilities were first class, and the weather was great. It was high-level competition with teams from all over the United States. My team played well and executed at a very high level.”

The Naturals, who competed with a roster of 11 players in Tennessee, got an opportunity to learn from someone who reached the pinnacle of success.

Snead, who was drafted in the 18th round of the 1998 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, played professionally for four different organizations, including stints with the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles.

His team has taken on their coach’s persona.

“This team is made up of a bunch of players that have grit and determination,” said Snead, who is top 10 all-time in the minor leagues with over 500 stolen bases in his career. “They work really hard and love the game. We have a deadly combination of defense, pitching and good hitting.”

That was evident with only 17 runs allowed in the nine games, including a 1-0 win in the championship game against Three Rivers of Miami.

“My pitching was top notch,” he said. “We had stellar defense from Amaya Gabo at shortstop, Tristan Fox in center field, Mason Williams behind the plate and Manny Merricks at second base. We are very strong up the middle. Good defense makes pitching better.”

Gabo, a native of Venezuela, was named the MVP of the tournament.

Snead said he is “one of the best players in my organization and I have over 150 kids.”

“Amaya is an amazing player who is very athletic and determined,” Snead said. “He has been with me since 8U and has trusted the process with our organization. He is an excellent SS and our leadoff batter. He is tough minded and learns fast. He’s a student of the game. He is a true leader and has a bright future ahead of him.”

Dee Suarez is the team’s 3-hole hitter and ace on the mound.

“We have a stable of really talented arms led by Suarez, Fox, Eli Kennedy, Nick Wills, and Jacob Smith,” Snead said. “All of our players pitch and add depth on the mound.”

Smith, who plays second base and third base, is one of their better pitchers. He pitched the first game of the tournament and the first round of the playoffs going six innings and allowing no runs.

“When we were down in the last inning of the semifinal game, Merricks and Brantley Foulds hit back to back doubles to help us take the lead late in the game.”

Foulds, who plays outfield and pitches, also tossed four innings of shutout ball during the tournament.

Snead said depth can be found at every position.

“We have three really good catchers in Williams, Wills, and James Thomas,” he said. “We have two really good shortstops in Gabo and Fox. We have three true center fielders on the team and our outfield play is phenomenal.”

Merricks is a standout second baseman but plays third base, left field and right field.

“He throws his body around and dives everywhere,” Snead said.

Snead said Austin Stubbington was one of their best hitters in the middle of the order all season “with his middle of the field opposite field approach.”

“He was also very good on the mound,” he said.

A big part of the offense was built around its team speed and power.

“We have a good combo of speed and power in the lineup,” Snead said. “Fox is a blaze on the base paths closely followed by Gabo, Williams and Kennedy, while Suarez, Fox, Williams, and Kennedy all hit multiple home runs this season.”

Snead said the special thing about this team was “their will to win and what they did when facing adversity.” 

“They wouldn’t blink,” he said. “Their mental fortitude was extremely high.”

The future is bright for this talented group.

“This is one of the better teams I’ve ever had in 16 years of doing travel ball,” Snead said. “They are a tight-knit group who love to be around and play for each other. That was a key component for them. Knowing each other and caring for each other like brothers make an unbreakable bond.”