Best Friends Take Leader’s Role For Palm Beach Central

Franco Camacho leads the Broncos through pre-season weight training.

Danny Hernandez and Shane Sawczak have been friends since they were toddlers. They have been starters on the Palm Beach Central varsity since they were freshmen.

Now, entering their senior season, they are the acknowledged team leaders. Together, like always.

“We’re best friends, we do everything together, on and off the field,” said Sawczak, who is expected to anchor the rotation.

The 5-foot-11 left-hander was 4-3 with one save last year, posting a 1.94 ERA while striking out 42 in 36 innings. He boasts an excellent curveball and an even better pickoff move to first.

“I’ve known him since we were born,” Sawczak said. “He was at my first baseball practice. I think we were three years old on our first travel team and we’ve been together since. We got split up during middle school and met up back here. I went to Emerald Cove, he went to Polo Park. We never played each other so I didn’t see him for three years.”

They have become inseparable since being reunited as freshmen.

“After school, we hang out,” said Sawczak. “In the gym, we work out together. On weekends, we hang out. We’re best friends.”

Hernandez has started at shortstop ever since arriving at Central. He batted .256 last season and provided stellar defense.

“I’m very excited to be one of the leaders,” said the 5-foot-5 Hernandez. “I will give them (younger players) little tips about what to do in certain situations and let them know how I was taught to do things.”

Hernandez said the pair is inseparable after school and on weekends, hanging out, laughing and being teenagers.

Sawczak said he won’t be a screamer when it comes to leading the Broncos.

“I’ll tell them to step it up and other things,” Sawczak said. “But I won’t be in their face. We’re going to work on our down-and-away fastballs.”

Palm Beach Central manager Scott Benedict is counting on this tandem, on and off the field.

“Both are quiet by nature,” Benedict said. “They definitely are battle-tested. They’re a couple of guys we’re going to rely on to lead the way.”

Hernandez has committed to play at Palm Beach State College and Sawczak has committed to Coastal Carolina.

“Danny has a lot of experience,” Benedict said. “He’s a guy with good hands, a good arm, he really squares up balls with the bat. (Shane) has elevated his game. He’s improved a lot.”

They are not the only key players for the Broncos, who lost 10 players from last year’s 15-8 team that dropped a 5-2 decision to Palm Beach Gardens in the district semifinals.

Jacob Shue participates in the pre-season weightlifting program at Palm Beach Central.

“We’re excited about our young guys,” Benedict said. “The JV won the county championship and there was a lot of talent on that team. There’s a long list of sophomores who hopefully by the end of the year will be playing like juniors.”

Benedict indicated he expects right-handed pitcher Kyle Giragos and first baseman Logan Goldenberg, both sophomores, and junior catcher Franco Camacho to be important pieces this season. Senior pitcher Jorge Alfonso also seems to be fully recovered from nerve damage in his elbow, giving the rotation depth and experience.

Sawczak, who plays right field when not pitching, batted a team-high .385 last year. But pitching is his first love, and he has big plans for the upcoming season. He wants to help the team win, and individually, he doesn’t want to lose a game. And while Sawczak is ready to embrace his final year, he remembers when he started out.

“As a freshman, I was definitely nervous,” remembered Sawzczak. “I had to follow Bobby Poyner (now at Florida) and all the other (current) D-I athletes. (Now) some of these kids are better than me when I was a sophomore. It went by very quickly. I’m excited for my senior season.”

Hernandez is also looking forward to his senior season.

“My coaches and other players have told me to keep thinking ahead, where to go with the ball if it’s hit here or where to go if it’s hit there,” said Hernandez. “It’s the little things that count the most and it’s what make the game.”

Whatever happens this season, Hernandez and Sawczak will be doing it together. One more time.

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