District 3A-13 Preview: It’s Anybody’s Game

American Heritage, Summit Christian and Pope John Paul II have the ability to beat either of the other two on any given day. Should be a fun and competitive year.

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

AMERICAN HERITAGE STALLIONS
2012 Record: 22-8
Head Coach: Carm Mazza
Key Returners: Jonathan India (SS), Chris Canavan (C), Todd Isaacs (CF), Anfernee Seymour (RF), Connor Power (3B), Peter Castillo (RHP)
Newcomers to Watch: Anthony Delaney (RHP), Tyler Frank (2B), Lucius Fox (2B), Hunter Bowling (LHP), Brendan Brundage (RHP/OF), Christian Bingo (OF)
Team Strengths: Team defense, speed
Team Weaknesses: Young on the mound, offense
Something people not around your program need to know about your team….

“Our young roster can perform on the mound and at the plate.

Coming off a terrific season making it all the way to the state 3A championship game, the American Heritage Stallions are ready for what they envision will be another great year.

“The experience was great for our kids, five of our returning sophomores played in the [championship] game,” Manager Carm Mazza said. “They now have the experience and want to do it again.

Facing the challenge of losing their starting seniors, the team is confident in its up-and-coming younger players to take on the leadership role.

The Stallions b`aseball team stretches during preseason practice

“We feel strong, we’re a young team, we’re competitive,” returning sophomore shortstop Jonathan India said. “We have a great relationship as a team, our infield is very talented, our hitting is good. We’ll be fine this year.”

The Stallions will be relying on their talented defensive play and their speed on the bases. Having had a productive season with their offense, the team will continue to work on improving their hitting as they build on the success of the 2011-2012 season.

Pitching is also a major focus for the Stallions, who are counting on their seniors to lead the way while meanwhile providing plenty of opportunities for the sophomores to continue developing throughout the season.

The key contributors will be up the middle, beginning with catcher Chris Canavan, pitcher Anthony Delaney, shortstop Jonathan India and center fielder Todd Isaacs.

With a fine core of freshmen and sophomores, the Stallions look to be very competitive this season.

“If we play as a team, we’ll be just fine,” sophomore catcher Chris Canavan said. “It’s going to be awesome playing with a great group of guys for the next three years.”

POPE JOHN PAUL II EAGLES
2012 Record: 11-13
Head Coach: Pete Graffeo
Key Returners: Zander Retamar (Sr. C), Matt Luzzi (Jr. OF), Stephen Gogreve (So. OF/LHP), Alex Bialakis (So. RHP), Josh Parker (So. RHP/OF), Evan Schaffner (So. SS/RHP).
Newcomers to Watch: Riley Strickland (Sr. OF), Brenden Donahue (Jr. UTL), Nick Transleau (Sr. RHP)
Team Strengths: Senior leadership, speed, good defense, tough, aggressive and resilient
Team Weaknesses: Youth, could have six sophomores starting
Something people not around your program need to know about your team….

“They will not quit and will compete until the last out.”

No excuses…Just execute!
The team motto says it all for the Pope John Paul II Eagles. Coach Peter Graffeo is building the baseball program almost from the ground up. From a new field to developing new talent to leading these young men on and off the field, something more than only high school baseball is brewing at Pope John Paul II under the tenure of Manager Peter Graffeo.

“Coach Graffeo is the best coach I have ever had,” senior starting catcher Zander Retamar said. “He sets a high standard for all of us, not just on the field but also off the field.”

Sophomore pitcher Steven Gogreve said “He’s like a father figure.”

Pope John Paul’s team motto says it all.

Sophormore pitcher/right fielder Alex Bilakis, who is in his second year playing for the Eagles, said “Coach Graffeo’s passion for the game is unmatched, that carries over into other areas in life as well. Our team is passionate.”

The Eagles are a young team. The core group is composed of mainly sophomores. However, what they lack in experience they possess in talent, confidence, passion and team unity.

“I’m comfortable with them, they know how to play,” Graffeo said. “We’re getting these players to next level.”

Graffeo is constantly teaching his players the fundamentals. The Eagles are consistently working on situational hitting, defensive drills and improving their conditioning.

“We’re not only out on the field working on skills, we’re physically getting stronger,” Graffeo said. “We’re not going to lose a game because we weren’t in shape or in condition to play. We’ll be out there and give it our best shot.”

The entire team has bought into Graffeo’s no-nonsense, hard-work, fun and leadership mentality. The players admire his leadership style and respond by working hard and playing at their best.

A player who has become a leader among these young men is Retamar, who has committed to Villanova and has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates. He is a key returner for the Eagles, playing at the catcher position, and is also a closer.

The other key players on the team are senior right fielder Riley Strickland, senior third baseman Nick Epae and sophomore right-handed pitcher Josh Parker.

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN SAINTS
2012 Record: 19-9
Head Coach: John Drouin
Key Returners: Scott Murphy (Sr. RF), Roberto Lopez (Sr. RHP), Brandon Swass (Sr. SS), Dakota Julyia (Jr. 2B), Ephrain Sanchez (Sr. C), Shane Swanson (Sr. CF), Zach Lawrence (Sr. 1B/P), Chris Leonardi (Sr. 1B)
Newcomers to Watch: Jesse Barton (Sr. 3B/OF), Petru De La Garza (Jr. LHP), Colin Smith (So. 3B/RHP), Austin Smith (So. OF), Robby Santiago (So. OF), Ronald Ramadan (Fr. OF)
Team Strengths: Defense and Hitting
Our season will be a success if….

“…the young pitching staff throws strikes.”

Saints Manager John Drouin knows that experience counts for a lot.

In 2013 Summit Christian returns nearly its entire lineup from a very successful group last season.

Despite the typical limitations that come from the school having such a small student body, Coach Drouin has always done an excellent job of fielding a competitive squad. The team also has traditionally been very adept at incorporating young players into the lineup.

The Saints figure to do much more of that this year, with only 11 total players on varsity.

“We are aware of our situation. Everybody here plays here; they’ve got to get the experience,” Drouin said. “There is nobody to take their place, so guys know they cannot get hurt or do something foolish and get themselves in trouble.”

Certainly the players know the opportunity they have to log plenty of gametime. But even more so is the motivation they carry in knowing this team has enough talent to go all the way back to states. The effort is evident in practices, and even though a lot is expected of them the players respond positively at every challenge.

“It’s not always what you know or what you can do, but how much you care,” Drouin explained. “We had a good season last year and we were in a lot of close games with great teams. So these guys have got to care this much if they are going to rise up and win those close games.”

Summit’s Roberto Lopez plays toss with Detroit Tiger reliever Darin Downs during practice.

Drouin is hopeful the painful memories of those close losses coupled with the team’s talent and drive has helped to build the character and mental-toughness that the accomplished coach knows it takes to win at the highest level.

Summit does not lack for leadership, beginning with a trio of seniors in shortstop Brandon Swass, catcher Ephrain Sanchez and senior right fielder Scott Murphy. Senior centerfielder Shane Swanson, junior second baseman Dakota Julyia and senior first baseman also return to solidify key defensive positions on a squad that figures to be very solid defensively.

But for the Saints to be successful this season they must get strong seasons from its pitching staff. The unit is coming off a very good fall season that bodes well for their ability to control the strike zone and keep the team in every game. Leading the way on the mound is senior right-handers Roberto Lopez and Zach Lawrence, junior lefty Petru De La Garza and sophomore righty Colin Smith.

Senior Jesse Barton comes to the school after holding the role as the team ace at Glades Day last season, but Coach Drouin does not have any plans to put the right-hander on the mound. Barton will man the hot spot at third base for the Saints.

As is the case every year, Summit Christian will play a very competitive schedule, and the team will also contend with Class 3A state-runner up American Heritage-Delray and an upstart young Pope John Paul II team in its district.

“Any given day anybody can beat anybody in this district,” Drouin said. “The team with the least amount of mistakes should be the one to survive. Sometimes when you catch a few breaks your year could then get off and running for you, too.”

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