District 8A-9 Preview: Armed and Ready

Pitching is a common strength among these formidable teams that comprise District 8A-9.

Pitchers such as Joey Boyd at Palm Beach Gardens and Cheyne Bickel at Dwyer will make this district a fun one to watch over the upcoming season.

Here is a preview of what to expect from the district competitors this year.

DWYER PANTHERS
2012 Record: 17-9
Head Coach: Frank Torre
Key Returners: Cheyne Bickel (Sr. P), Hunter Hope (Sr. 3B/SS), Tom Szapucki (So. P), Duke Stunkel (Jr. OF/P), Shane Olive (Jr. C)
Newcomers to Watch: Brian Brooker (Jr. 2B), Josh Messier (Jr. OF), Chase Coopersmith (P/1B)
Team Strengths: Starting pitching/team speed
Team Weaknesses: Unproven offense
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“We have four Division I commits: Cheyne Bickel (Ole Miss), Hunter Hope (Tulane), Duke Stunkel (Florida), Tom Szapucki (Florida).”

Coming off a district championship last year, the Dwyer Panthers look to improve on their finish last year.

Behind pitchers Tom Szapucki, who is committed to Florida, and Cheyne Bickel, who is committed to Ole Miss, the Panthers look to make it back to the state tournament, something they fell only two games short of last season.

“We have our work cut out for us but I think we will go as far as our defense and our bats take us,” coach Torre said.

The Panthers have a schedule that is tough from top to bottom with key non-district games such as Flanagan, West Broward, Pace and Park Vista.

“We did it last year and it worked for us,” Torre said. “There’s nothing like getting used to that kind of competition and being in those games against those good teams. So when it comes to those pressure situations, you feel more comfortable.”

Looking forward to this year, the Panthers return several key players that are the core of their infield and coach Torre is really looking toward them to step up and take a leadership role.

JUPITER WARRIORS
2012 Record: 19-7
Head Coach: Andy Mook
Key Returners: Pat Walther (Sr. OF), Peter Sitaras (Sr. OF), Kyle Keatts (Sr. P/IF), Hunter Halsey (Sr. P/IF), Scott Danek (Sr. P/OF), John McCathy (Sr. 1B/P), Kyle Vesneskey (Sr. IF), Guy Casaceli (Sr. OF/IF), Glen Casaceli (Sr. IF)
Team Strengths: Pitching and defense
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“We have been a successful program that has produced numerous college players and professional ballplayers. Soon a few will be in the major leagues.”

The Warriors had an excellent regular season, going 19-7 and 5-3 in the district but got bounced early in the playoffs. Dominant pitching and a veteran defense should make this team a very tough out, however, this year for a team that is only two years removed from making it deep in the regional tournament.

In fact, Mananger Andy Mook is so confident in his veteran defense this year that he would put them up against any defense in the district.

“I would pretty much put our defense up with about anybody,” Mook said. “Outfield, infield, catching, even our pitchers are pretty athletic. We have good depth in pitching. We have the two big areas of baseball that you need to win games.”

In a district that is one of the toughest in the area, the fact that this team has been together for several years at the varsity level will be a significant advantage for this Warriors team heading into the season.

“In our district these guys have played against everyone else,” Mook said. “So there’s a lot of familiarity. Having our guys being together that is going to help us be more comfortable and play as more of a team.”

PALM BEACH CENTRAL BRONCOS
2012 Record: 20-6
Head Coach: Scott Benedict
Key Returners: Jorge Alfonso, John Padich, Joe Shue, Danny Hernandez, Ian Hagenmiller, Gage Morey
Newcomers to Watch: Ariel Diaz, Kyle Magner, Jameel Edney, Kyle Perkins, Raige Hasko
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense
Team Weaknesses: Pitching depth, experience
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“JV and varsity are participating in the Komen Race For The Cure.”

The Broncos bring a balanced attack of pitching, hitting and defense along with a hunger into the upcoming season, according to manager Scott Benedict.

Palm Beach Central’s top pitchers are senior left-hander John Padich (6-1, 2.25 ERA in 53 innings) and junior right-hander Jorge Alfonso (5-3, 2.21 ERA in 50.2 innings).

Padich and Alfonso are experienced pitchers who rely on hitting spots more than overpowering hitters.

“They’ll get their share of strikeouts but they’re definitely command guys,” said Benedict. “We like for our guys to work fast, throw strikes and hold runners close, keep the defense on their toes. And they do that.”

The Broncos offense expects to be led by a quartet of returning starters: catcher/outfielder Joe Shue (.347 avg.), centerfielder Gage Morey (.342), who has committed to Florida Gulf Coast, shortstop Danny Hernandez (.333) and third baseman Ian Hagenmiller (.269).

Benedict expects Hagenmiller to bounce back in his senior year. He led the team with seven doubles and was second in RBIs with 20.

“He’s a middle-of-the-order hitter some good power,” said Benedict. “He’s got quite a lot of experience.”

Seniors Raige Hasko and Kyle Perkins are two of the reserves from last year who will be asked to make a bigger contribution in 2013.

“I feel we have the potential to go all the way to the state finals, we just have to stay focused,” said Perkins, who will split time between catcher and first base. “We have enough talent and dedication that we can go all the way.”

Benedict knows they can’t relax against anybody in the district, which he calls one of the toughest in the state. Their ultimate goal is to win the state championship.

“I would certainly hope that they’re as sick as I am of not playing in a regional,” said Benedict, who enters the season with 506 wins. “This is the 10th year of the school’s existence and I think we won six district titles in the first seven years and it hasn’t happened in the last two years. I’m hungry for it and I hope they’re as hungry as I am.”

PALM BEACH GARDENS GATORS
2012 Record: 21-11
Head Coach: Joe Russo
Key Returners: Joey Boyd (P/IF), Matt Williams (IF/3B), Nick Gallow (IF/OF), Riley Colbath (P)
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense
Team Strengths: Youth in key positions

Palm Beach Gardens is coming off a strong 2012 season in which it advanced all the way to the state semifinals. Despite a 3-5 record in the district last year, the Gators turned it on in the playoffs, and if you ask Manager Joe Russo, he expects this team to make it back again this year.

“The expectation is that we get to the playoffs again and make a run and hopefully get over to Fort Myers and make it back to the final four,” Russo said.

This team returns several key starters including pitchers Joey Boyd and Riley Colbath who are both seniors this year and will be looked upon to take a leadership role and help this team make a return trip to the state tournament.

“You always look to your seniors,” Russo said. “Those four guys are the guys that will have to lead us this year.”

WELLINGTON WOLVERINES
2012 Record: 8-16
Head Coach: Scott Riddle
Key Returners: Nick Lawrence (Sr. RHP), Jeremy Panakos (Sr. RHP), Spencer Stockton (Jr. RHP), Tyler Corbin (Sr. C), Mike Rodrigues (Sr. RHP), Michael Cusenza (Sr. SS)
Team Strengths: Pitching depth, overall flexability of position players, overall team speed, team has very few holes in the line up, most hitters do one or two things well offensively
strong>Team Weaknesses: Few proven high school hitters
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“Our team is loaded with quality young men who also compete in the classroom, we have over half of our team carrying a 3.4 or higher GPA with senior infielder Jacob Aqua pulling a 4.9.”

For the second consecutive season, the Wolverines enter the season with a solid pitching staff and an offense looking to find itself.

“On the mound, we’re in real good shape,” said Manager Scott Riddle. “I’m not worried about the pitching at all. I think we’ll be in every game with our pitching staff.”

Riddle is depending on six seniors and junior Spencer Stockton, all right-handers. Although no one has been declared the ace, there are “four fighting for the bulk of the work,” according to Riddle.

“Certainly Nick Lawrence (6-4, 210), he’s the hardest thrower and he can get most guys out with his fastball,” said Riddle. “Jeremy Panakos (6-2, 160) is more of an off-speed guy but throws four pitches for strikes; (throws) a curveball, a change-up on any count. Spencer Stockton has big-game experience, a lot of confidence, a lot of command of his pitches. Mike Rodriguez (5-10, 160) had our lowest ERA last year — 18 innings and he gave up one or two earned runs.

Niko Della Penna (5-9, 165), Zach Gerboc (6-0, 180) and Anthony Mancuso (5-7, 145) will also see time on the mound, and could pitch for many other high school teams, according to Riddle.

“We don’t really have a dominant pitcher,” said Della Penna. “Nick, he throws upper 80s and he can usually get the job done. Pretty much we just work the spots. Everybody, even though most of us are 83, 84, some 85, we all hit our spots, which is what makes us so good.”

Mancuso believes this year’s staff is improved from last year.

“We’ve got a lot more solid guys, guys that can go deeper into games, guys that can set-up, guys that can close,” said Mancuso.

While Riddle is pleased with his pitchers and his middle infielders, he is using spring practice to solidify his catcher and corner infielders. There are seven catchers in camp.

And to find some offense.

“I don’t know where the runs are coming from,” said Riddle. “I know we’re fast enough…I know we’re good enough as base-runners. I just don’t have any guys that are proven high school hitters right now in the lineup.

“All in all, I like our team. It’s got potential to be a very, very good team. Right now we just have to see where our offense takes us.”

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