District 13-7A: Four Teams Vie For Playoffs

District 7A-13 is perhaps the most intriguing district in all of Palm Beach County. Each team is hungry, dedicated and disciplined to win the inaugural title for this new state designation. There is no clear favorite in this group, which includes Forest Hill, Palm Beach Lakes, Royal Palm Beach and Santaluces. Each program is showing the extra effort in practice, the unity teams need and the belief they are capable of accomplishing their goal.

“Our goal is to win the district title this year,” Santaluces coach Nick Franco said. Despite eight years of success with the Chiefs, Franco has yet to ever lead the team to a district title. But he hopes this year will end that drought. “I upped the anti a little bit, and it is always important to be realistic. I am confident with this group; they are a blue-collar bunch. But it’s not going to happen by just showing up.”

At Forest Hill, the Falcons have a big weapon in their arsenal in starting pitcher Mike Murray.

“He’s The Equalizer,” Franco said. “He’s the best pitcher in the district and it’s going to be tough.”

With an ace that is able to throw for each of the team’s district games, teams are aware that Forest Hill has a great chance to compete for that coveted title.

“Every team is expecting the same thing, to win and be successful,” Forest Hill coach Russ Milliken said. “The only difference is we’re going to win it. You’ve got to have confidence, but just not be arrogant. I don’t know what Royal Palm Beach and Santaluces have, but I know what we’ve got.”

Royal Palm Beach is another solid contender, with a history of success in very competitive districts.

“They have five or six really great players who have not committed,” Franco said. “They are well-coached and they play great baseball.”

The Wildcats are confident in their pitching and feel they can also contend for this district. It sets up for some very competitive and exciting baseball.

While Palm Beach Lakes may not be a great threat to contend for the district title, they will likely play a big role in who ultimately does win it. For this team is much improved and will play its hardest against their newest rivals.

“This is the best group we’ve had in five years, they are changing the culture,” Palm Beach Lakes coach Dorwin Lynch said. “We’ve been through the fire and now we’re ready to play. We need to stay prepared and be aggressive, because these guys think, eat, and sleep baseball.”

The other teams in the district are not overlooking Palm Beach Lakes by any means either.

“They have a first-class coach,” Milliken said. “They did not have any wins last year and they still kept coming out and playing. There is a lot to be commended for that.”

Forest Hill
Coach: Russ Milliken
2011 record: 9-15
Returners: Mike Murray (RHP/LF); Daniel Morales (LF/P); Ryan Mahoney (2B); Tyler Withington (RHP); Juan Garces (SS); Jose Crespo (1B); Madison Milliken (C)
Newcomers: Chris Batista (3B); Brayan Ofarrill (RF)
Strengths: Starting Pitching and Discipline

“Every team is expecting the same thing, to win and be successful,” Forest Hill coach Russ Milliken said.

The Forest Hill Falcons return a strong senior class this season, with many kids who have played a lot of steady baseball. As many as eight players on this team have played for Coach Russ Milliken since they were in little league. This is a very disciplined baseball team, hungry for a district title.

Leading the way will be senior Mike Murray, who is arguably the best pitcher in the district.

“He’s our horse and we’re going to ride him,” Milliken said. “As Michael goes, we go. This is a disciplined team this year and they really want to go out and prove something.”

If a solid number-two pitcher can emerge for Forest Hill the Falcons could be a very dangerous team. Tyler Withington and Daniel Morales have competed this preseason for that role.

Other key returning players are the infield tandem of shortstop Juan Garces and second baseman Ryan Maloney. Junior Madison Millken takes over behind the plate and first baseman Jose Crespo also returns, providing a lot of pop for the lineup. The new guy to the infield is third baseman Chris Batista, and the Falcons also have a new starter in right field in Brayan Ofarrill, a transfer from Cuba.

“They’re excited about play. There are no individuals and they really play as a team,” Milliken said. “It’s a coordinated group effort. They guys hang out and make decisions together. They want to earn a district title.”

Palm Beach Lakes
Coach: Dorwin Lynch
2011 record: 0-20
Returners: Ronald Wilson (SS/P); Greg Hester (RHP); Garrett Manning (CF/P); Michael Ellis (LF/P); Dominique Hale (2B); Giovanni Martinez (C); Abraham Ramirez (RF)
Newcomers: Samuel Gonzalez (3B); Wesley Thomas (1B)
Strengths: Experience and Athleticism

“This is the best group we’ve had in five years, they are changing the culture,” Palm Beach Lakes coach Dorwin Lynch said.

It has been a few seasons since the Palm Beach Lakes baseball team last won a game.

Palm Beach Lakes coach Dorwin Lynch knows that once the Rams get that first win they will turn things around. Winning is contagious, and this is a hungry bunch that is at the level that they can execute things now. The game is not as fast to them and players are eager to prove they can compete.

“The goal is to compete in every game,” Coach Lynch said. “We haven’t been able to do that over the years, so we won’t set it any higher than that. The rest will take care of itself. We are where we should be and we’re ready to take that next step.”

Coach Lynch understands and accepts that guys will make errors, as everybody does it eventually. But it will be important to limit those mistakes, and they will also be accepted if it happens from players being aggressive and trying to make plays.

“We don’t coach at a low level; we don’t coach down to them here,” Lynch said. “We are a few years behind some of the other schools, but it does not mean we cannot close that gap. We just need to execute; we have to have great bunt defense, and not allow guys to go from first to third and second to home on hits.”

Greg “Big Cat” Hester will be the team’s ace pitcher this season, relying on a nasty curveball and the ability to locate his pitches. Garrett Manning returns as the team’s closer, and also mans the centerfield position.

Heading the way defensively is shortstop Ronald Wilson, who is also the team’s number-two pitcher. The junior has a motor that never stops, who is confident but is being groomed to make sure he uses proper technique with his abilities. Second baseman Dominique Hale also returns, and he has developed a nice chemistry with Wilson to shore up a defense that is younger at the corners with newcomers in Samuel Gonzalez at third base and Wesley Thomas at first. Gonzalez has shown nice poise at the hot spot, and has a strong arm to get the throws across the diamond.

Left fielder and pitcher Michael Ellis returns after missing last season due to an injury suffered against West Boca, and Abraham Ramirez returns in right field while Giovanni Martinez returns at catcher.

Coach Lynch is excited about the support that the school’s athletic director, Don Smith, has shown them. For the first time in more than five years the school will also feature a junior varsity team this year. The players devoted themselves in the offseason to a nine-week session in the weight room, and they are bigger, stronger and faster now. Players showed up and worked and as a group they are way ahead of expectations.

Players have also been accountable for their grades, reporting and following up with the coaches. Players sense that the learning curve is not as bad, and that they are learning more advanced baseball technique now. The score has not always reflected how they have played, as the young team still needs to learn how to close out innings.

“If we compete the scoreboard will dictate the rest. Rams never quit,” Coach Lynch said. “It’s more important that they learn the life skills, that they enjoy this experience. If the players leave here with a good experience they will remember it.”

Royal Palm Beach
Coach: Brian Joros
2011 record: 12-15
Returners: Justin Lauginiger (RHP); Jordan Lauginiger (RHP); Kyle Houk (SS); Christopher Barr (CF/1B/P); Dakota Mitchell (CF/P); Brandon Houk (RHP); Connor Brennan (2B)
Newcomers: Brandon Hernandez (IF/C); Connor Rose (RF/CF)
Strengths: Pitching and Hitting

“Our seniors are accountable and making sure everybody is listening and buying into what we’re doing. Our guys will do it this year,” Royal Palm Beach coach Brian Joros said.

Royal Palm Beach returns seven seniors this season, and five starters from last year. What is different is that second-year coach Brian Joros has brought in a whole new coaching staff. This veteran group is full of college and professional baseball experience, and the players are buying into the system.

The Wildcats pride themselves on fundamental baseball, executing the little things that make the difference. Royal Palm Beach had a record below .500 last season, yet the team was still in the majority of its games. With a nice depth of pitching the team is hungry to prove that they really are better than last year’s record indicated.

“We know we can play in this district,” Coach Joros said. “We’ll make them have to make plays to get us out. Our seniors are accountable and making sure everybody is listening and buying into what we’re doing. Our guys will do it this year.”

Royal Palm Beach feels pretty confident about their top starter, Justin Lauginiger, a junior right-hander who throws in the upper 80’s and who has had an amazing offseason building up for this.

“Justin has a big arm and he is ready to prove himself.” Joros said. “He does the small stuff well, he hits his spots and he works fast.”

Lauginiger’s best pitch is a slider, which helped lead him to seven victories out of the team’s 12 total wins last year. He is also the team’s regular third baseman.

Alongside the Wildcats number-one starting pitcher is a unique dynamic for the number-two slot, which is filled by Lauginiger’s twin brother Jordan.

The team’s number-three hitter is also its expected number-three pitcher in Dakota Mitchell, who is recovering from a partial tear in his ulnar nerve last year. The left-hander has just started getting back into throwing, and the team will move him along slowly in hopes of having him ready by April and May when they really need him.

“He will be a guy who will do great things for us,” Joros said.

Another strong arm comes from sophomore Brandon Houk, a big narrow lefty who throws a heavy ball, and throws it downhill. Houk has great command and a propensity for inducing ground outs.

Ground outs while be a regular thing for Royal Palm this year, and sophomore Kyle Houk moves over from second base to shortstop to shore up a solid infield. As a freshman last year he batted .340 and started every game, showing solid fundamentals and the ability to outwork anybody.

“All he wants to do is play baseball,” Joros said. “He had a big hit for us in our preseason game against Martin County, and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

The defense up the middle overall will be very strong, with senior Connor Brennan taking over at second base and Connor Rose, a transfer from Massachusetts, playing centerfield.

Senior Christopher Barr will anchor first base, which is an advantage the team has due to its overall team speed. Barr is the fastest player on the team, but he also has showed the best abilities at first with his glove work. Barr will also bat leadoff, taking advantage of his game-changing speed on the bases.

Freshman Brandon Hernandez takes over at catcher, a position that he has played before but not in recent years. But he is athletic and coachable and the team has benefited in having him fill the role.

“We have to do the small things well, we have to bunt well, we have to hit-and-run well, and we’ve got to play sound defense,” Joros said. “The pitchers understand what they’ve got to do and they will throw strikes. We will play every game in this district and see what happens.”

Santaluces
Coach: Nick Franco
2011 record: 18-9
Returners: Hunter Kyzar (LHP); Bradon Griffin (1B); Cody Wager (RHP); Doug Wright (RHP); Stephan Patti (1B); Zack Saldivar (CF); Ernie Cabrera (RF); Eric Cabrera (SS)
Newcomers: Pete Strzelcki (RHP); Anthony Nichols (LF/C); J.P. Pace (2B); Dominic Teresi (C)
Strengths: Hitting and Pitching

“Our goal is to win the district title this year,” Santaluces coach Nick Franco said. “But it’s not going to happen by just showing up.”

The Santaluces Chiefs are the lone team in the district that had a winning record last season, but the team also lost a big player in hurler Kyle Smith.

Santaluces returns eight players from a year ago, but only three were starters. But the group that the team has put together is scrappy and competitive. Like most teams in Palm Beach County, the Chiefs have scheduled a very tough and competitive schedule.

“We have a lot of new varsity players this year, but we’re gonna sneak up on some people,” Santaluces coach Nick Franco said. “We lie our chances; we’re unknown and we also like that.”

The team anticipates that lefty Hunter Kyzar will assume the ace’s role, relying on a nice changeup and keeping pitches low in the zone. Overall the Chiefs have a deep bullpen, which includes right-handers Cody Wager and Doug Wright, as well as newcomer Pete Strzelcki.

Offensively Santaluces has a lot of speed at the top of the order, outfielders Ernie Cabrera and Zack Saldivar. Senior cleanup hitter Bradon Griffin also returns to anchor the lineup. Freshman catcher and outfielder Anthony Nichols has also emerged as a capable hitter in the Chiefs’ deep order.

Coach Franco is pleased with the team’s improvement defensively, which is something they have preached repeatedly at practice. With the change to the new BBCOR bats teams will no longer be scoring a lot of runs because the ball doesn’t come off the bat the same way anymore. Key to this defense will be shortstop Eric Cabrera and catcher Dominic Teresi, who has one of the best arms in the area, as well as first baseman Stephan Patti and second baseman J.P. Pace.

The team’s approach will be to put the ball in play and focus on the defense.

“To be successful we have got to play defense,” Franco said. “The ball is going to be put into play and we have got to be able to field it.”

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