Independent Programs Working Their Way Back To District Level

Berean Christian players work on hitting drills during practice

Berean Christian
Coach: Marty Gonzalez
Last year’s Record: 2-11
Returners: Tony Gioannini (C); Randy Stanford (P); Anthony Solerni (1B/P)
Newcomers: Zach Watson (SS/P)
Strengths: Discipline

“It’s a very disciplined group and the effort is here,” Berean Christian coach Marty Gonzalez said.

New Berean Christian coach Marty Gonzalez knows this is a whole new experience this year after coming over from being an assistant on a successful Dwyer program.

At Dwyer the school has numbers, talents, game understanding and experience.

It will be a different experience in his first head coaching position, but he feels as though the opportunity to build something is there.

Berean coach Marty Gonzalez provides live pitching duirng practice.

“It’s a very disciplined group and the effort is here,” Gonzalez said. “This year we will evaluate what we have. The key is long-term thinking right now.”

Berean Christian is an old school that does not have a lot of athletic tradition. The high school student body consists of only 140 students, which limits the available talent. Many guys on the team have never played before.

“The future is bright. But we will take our licks as we turn it around,” Gonzalez said. “We’ll put it together. I can’t fault the kids too much now, they haven’t known any better.”

The Bulldogs return five players this season, including catcher Tony Gionnini, who is returning from an arm injury. Anthony Solerni returns to anchor the lineup, and will also see some action on the mound.

Berean graduated four pitchers from last year’s team, so the emphasis is on filling those roles. That begins with senior Randy Stanford and newcomer Zach Watson, who will also serve as the team’s starting shortstop.

“They are great kids, it is all ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’,” Gonzalez said.

Junior shortstop Darren Serefina waits to hit during the Santaluces Grand Slam Tournament

Trinity Christian Academy
Coach: Miguel Cuello
Last year’s record: 17-6
Returners: Phildrick Llewellyn (C); Alexander Rodriguez (P); Byron Ferguson (P); Franco Guardascione (C/3B); Darren Seferina (SS)
Newcomers: Milton Croes (UT); Martis Sjabhabar (1B/OF)
Strengths: Skill Positions and Experience

“We don’t get embarrassed by anyone,” Cuello said. “We feel we can compete with anyone, Class 8A, whatever. It is just a number to us.”

The Trinity Christian Warriors have different circumstances at stake for their team, and their goals on the season are simply to build the name for the program and improve the team by playing the toughest competition available. With a roster that boasts some impressive MLB-potential, the school is grateful for the opportunity to compete at the esteemed Miami Selective Recruiting Invitational.

“That’s a big win just to be asked to go to this tournament,” Trinity Christian coach Miguel Cuello said. “That’s what we want with our program. Unfortunately the altercation happened so we don’t have a chance to play in the state tournament, but now we are playing in more tournaments instead.”

The altercation Cuello refers to is an on-field brawl that occurred a few seasons ago, which resulted in a three-year suspension from the Florida High School Athletic Association. The school has two more seasons before it can again compete for a state championship, so in the meantime the program has dropped out of competing in a district in order to have greater flexibility in which teams they schedule.

But that does not mean that this program has faltered. In fact, it has been a blessing in disguise that has helped them strengthen their experience.

“We don’t get embarrassed by anyone,” Cuello said. “We feel we can compete with anyone, Class 8A, whatever. It is just a number to us.”

The important thing now is to work and try to help these players earn college scholarships. The younger players, meanwhile, will work towards the long-term goal of playing for a state championship. For some players, the hope is also that some major league scouts will find interest in their talents.

Among those leading candidates is senior catcher Phildrick Llewellyn, who has signed with Florida International University. A pair of pitching prospects have also already signed with college programs, as Alexander Rodriguez will play for Ball State and Byron Ferguson for Bethune-Cookman.

Junior Franco Guardascione has been a starter since his freshman year when he was behind the plate for the team’s last state tournament run, a season in which he also batted nearly .500 and led the county in most hitting categories. Guardascione will split time at catcher and third base, providing a great glove and a great bat. Another solid returning veteran on this team of eight seniors is junior Darren Seferina, who has a great glove and excellent speed.

The Warriors will not overlook their need to replenish for the future. For the first time the school will also have a junior varsity program, and Cuello carries a large roster primarily so he can offer playing time to younger players. Trinity has managed ot remain competitive each season partly due to Cuello’s ability to work youth into his lineup.

“We’re looking forward to our underclassmen coming up,” Cuello said. “There will be opportunities for guys who are next in line.”

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