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District 2A-12 Preview: Boca Christian Eyes Three-Peat

Boca Raton Christian brings back 12 players from last year and headlines this district.

The Blazers will be looking for their third consecutive district title, but Wellington Christian and Lake Worth Christian will try to have something to say about that.

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

BOCA RATON CHRISTIAN BLAZERS
2012 Record: 12-9
Head Coach: Clint Erickson
Key Returners: RJ Walsh (Sr. P/1B/2B/OF), Rudy Lopez Sr. (3B/IF), Jonathan Kreh Sr. (P/1B/2B), Tommy Havelka (Jr. CF), Grant Gardiner (Jr. C/OF), Casey Carpinello (So. UTL), Blaize McSweeney (So. OF)
Newcomers to Watch: Jack Havelka (Fr. IF), Zach Gray 8th (1B/P)
Team Strengths: 12 returning players
Our season will be a success if….

“…we need to function as one unit. Our players have talent and a strong work ethic. We will enjoy success if we buy into our vision and work hard.

Boca Christian coach Clint Erickson is only in his second year with the Blazers, but he’s seen enough of his 2013 squad to think that this could be the season they advance to the state tournament for the first time.

“I’m really excited about where we are right now,” Erickson said. “We’re hungry to make the next step, and I believe this is the year. The one thing that’s going to help us the most is having guys with experience.”

After losing in the second round of regional play the last three years, the Blazers return six seniors -– including three 2012 All-District selections -– and thus have the veteran leadership it usually requires to make a deep postseason run.

Senior Jonathan Kreh hit .338 and put up a stellar 1.88 ERA en route to winning the District 2A-12 Player of the Year title last season, and will relied upon to play a big role this year alongside fellow All-District selections, seniors RJ Walsh and Rudy Lopez.

Add in newcomers Zach Gray and Jack Havelka, as well as a solid supporting cast, and you have the recipe for what could be a third straight District 2A-12 title and a memorable campaign.

“’Achieving the Goal’ is the theme for our team, specifically to make a run and get to the state level,” said Erickson.

GLADES DAY GATORS
2012 Record: 7-14
Head Coach: Mike Underwood
Key Returners: Thomas Corzo (So., 2B); Noel Figueroa (Jr., RHP); Jared McMillan (Jr., C)
Newcomers to Watch: Daniel Duncanson (So., CF/P/SS); Oscar Ruiz (8th, 3B/P)
Team Strengths: Defense and contact hitting
Our season will be a success if…. the Gators young pitchers must throw strikes.

Glades Day knows the door is wide open in their district.

The Gators Noel Figueroa slides during drills at practice.

The Gators made the move down to 2A District 12 this season, and they are confident that this is the best place for them to compete and grow.

“There’s a lot more excitement then there used to be,” Manager Mike Underwood admitted as his team closed down a strong afternoon practice.

Baseball is a different breed of animal up in Belle Glade, and the Gators coaching staff has learned to adjust to a culture in which the game of football often comes first. “We play football year round up here. It’s hard for these guys to swing a bat when they’re pumping weights all the time,” Underwood joked.

Indeed hitting will ultimately decided how far the Gators can go this season. The team has no seniors on its roster, but what it lacks in experience it makes up for with youthful enthusiasm. This young team is excited to play, is willing to work hard, and is eager to see where they stand in their new district.

Underwood anticipates a small-ball approach that will play to their strengths, but stresses that his young pitchers simply must throw strikes and keep the ball in play for their defense.

“We have a scrappy defense,” Underwood said. “I am confident the pitchers will get the job done. The hardest part is getting the hitting going. But that’s also the fun part for us coaches.”

The Gators conduct running drills at the conclusion of practice.

Leading the small crop of returning starters is sophomore second baseman Thomas Corzo, who is coming off a very strong summer season that could help propel him to the fattest part of the batting order. Another bat that has emerged with strong opposite-field power comes from junior catcher Jared McMillan. The team has also enjoyed the addition of Moore Haven transfer Daniel Duncanson, who will split time at shortstop, centerfield and on the mound.

Also leading the Gators pitching staff is junior Noey Figueroa, who is quietly emerging as the strength of the team, and eighth-grader Oscar Ruiz has shown strong potential with his raw talent.

As often happens at the smaller schools such as Glades Day, the team is also awaiting several members of the basketball team to finish up their season and come join them on the diamond.

But in the meantime, the team is working hard and gearing up for a nice dogfight as it develops some new rivalries in its new district.

“It’s equal across the boards right now,” Underwood said. “The guys are excited to give it a go.”

LAKE WORTH CHRISTIAN DEFENDERS
2012 Record: 3-17
Head Coach: Dave Salley
Key Returners: Matt Picardi (Sr. C/OF), Scott Lucas (Sr. IF), Trevor Hoffman (P), Oryan Allen (P), Austin Sharkey (8th, IF)

First-year Mananger Dave Salley knows the ups and downs the team endured last year.

“We had a rough start last season,” Lake Worth Christian coach David Salley said. “But we rebounded towards the end and started to come together and learning how to play the game.”

Salley is looking forward to the promise that the baseball program at Lake Worth Christian has to offer, coming into the year with a revamped field/facility that includes new outfield fences as well. Rain or shine, the Defenders have never canceled a practice and are proud of that.

Senior Scott Lucas working on hitting the ball to opposite field.

“Even if it’s pouring outside,” Salley said. “We find things to do to allow us to get better and not lose a step.”

Not to mention that the Defenders have an effective workout routine that begins at the “The Brickyard,” which provides weighted bricks used for workout drills.

The Defenders lost only one senior but continue to have a rather young team. They have a strong sophomore class that is gaining experience as the years go on and should be in prime form. The two returning seniors are catcher/outfielder Matt Picardi and infielder/pitcher Scott Lucas. Both show excitement about what this team is capable of accomplishing this year. Hitting will be a lot stronger this year with a huge focus on putting the ball on the ground and making the opposing team’s defense make a play.

The pitching staff, which consists of young, but live arms, is back being led by Trevor Hoffman and Oryan Allen. The Defenders should have solid outings from their pitching.

Defense will continue being a major focus, and providing help in this area will be eighth-grade middle infielder Austin Sharkey, who will be coming in on his second year on the varsity team. There is still a lot of knowledge of the game that must be taught, but with the will and energy that the new coaching staff is providing, it’s only a matter of time that the Defenders will make a name for themselves.

WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN EAGLES
2012 Record: 3-15
Head Coach: Robert Pettet
Key Returners: Anthony Hansen (Jr. OF), Robert Rodriguez (Jr. OF), Kyle Berkowitz (Fr. P/1B), Steven Pettet (Fr. 3B), Zach Rogers (Fr. 2B)
Newcomers to Watch: Jack Dunstan, Jason Weldgen
Team Strengths: Large turnout of players this year
Team Weaknesses: Pitching
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“All of my players are great kids who are enjoying the game of
baseball.”

The Eagles are growing up.

Wellington Christian managed just three wins last season with one of the youngest and inexperienced rosters around.

“We’re still going to be young but we have more actual high school kids,” said second-year manager Robert Pettet. “Our program is building with all these ninth-graders coming in. I think we’re going to be pretty decent. Yes, we’re still going to be ninth-graders but we’ll be better than last year.”

The Eagles will count on a trio of freshmen — first baseman/pitcher Kyle Berkowitz, second baseman Zach Rogers and third baseman Steven Pettet — who all saw significant playing time as eighth-graders and seventh-graders.

Juniors Anthony Hanson and Robert Rodriguez will be in the outfield while newcomer Jack Dunstan is expected to play shortstop and pitch.

“Our pitching is not overpowering, but we have a few of them who have thrown before,” said Pettet, whose team plays its home games at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. “We’ll have more strikes, less balls. Someone comes up to the plate, they’re going to have to swing the bat.”

Pettet believes the Eagles will be more competitive this season and that the program is moving in the right direction.

“Right now, from what I’ve seen last year, I already see a step up,” said Pettet. “I encourage them to keep playing because the more we come out here, the more they learn, the better they’re going to get. I think the kids are excited about it.”

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