3A-13 District Tournament Preview

Zach Zientarski and the Bucs are ready for the playoffs.

Host: Florida Air Academy

Schedule:

Tuesday April 22nd

6:00 PM St. Edward’s (5) vs. John Carroll (4)

Wednesday April 23rd

6:00 PM Florida Air Academy (3) vs. Benjamin (2)

6:00 PM Winner St. Edward’s/John Carroll vs. Melbourne Central Catholic (1)

Championship: TBA

Overview – District realignment left Benjamin facing a whole new group of teams that are all located pretty far from home. After years and years of chasing King’s Academy for a district title, now the Buccaneers have a whole new set of district rivals to face off against instead. Leading the group is defending Class 3A state champion Melbourne Central Catholic, a fundamental club that has the proven pedigree of getting the job done when it matters most. The greatest asset in Benjamin’s corner is that these other clubs do not have the same familiarity with them that a team like King’s Academy always had after facing them so much. Now the Bucs have to use that to their advantage and leave an impression that lasts by stealing the district title.

1. Melbourne Central Catholic – The Hustlers made team history last year by bringing home their first state championship. What was most impressive about this feat is that the team graduated very few members of that championship roster, which means they have returned the core of that squad with an eye at chasing after a repeat this season.

Manager Tom Dooley enters his 26th season with an eye on the district title this year. Even with the ultimate success they found last season, the Hustlers did not even win their district after a tough 1-0 loss to John Carroll. Melbourne Central Catholic has played a very tough schedule befitting a championship-caliber program, and they have performed well in those games. The team may be even stronger than a year ago, and now they have the added confidence of knowing they can win big games when they need it most.

The Bucs are ready to seize the present and charge after the district championship this year.

2. Benjamin – Even though the competition has changed, the drive to win a district title has not changed for the Bucs. Manager Brian Kaplan admits that one of the toughest challenges is the travel aspect that is required for them this season, where they have to take a long bus trip to face a field of teams who are all playing much closer to home.

Benjamin has played another tough schedule this season with the hopes it will prepare them for the tough tests ahead. Even though they no longer have the motivation to chase after their big rival in King’s Academy, they have a new rival in the Hustlers that provides them plenty of the same mojo.

“I think Melbourne Central Catholic is right up there with King’s Academy,” said Kaplan. “So the energy and intensity is still there. If we are lucky enough to win and move on, we also know there are a lot of very great teams out there in 3A.”

Benjamin split the regular-season series with Florida Air, and a victory in the rubber match is all that stands in the way of them stamping their ticket to the regional playoffs.

Although the Bucs have plenty of veteran leadership, the team has also relied on many promising youngsters throughout the season. Matt Ellmyer, Zach Zientarski and Kris Armstrong are all underclassmen, and they all have been major producers for the starting unit. Ellmyer has teamed with Sousa and Chad Swift to provide a lethal pitching attack.

The offense has come along as the season went, as several new guys have worked to find their roles in the lineup. Junior Baylen Sparks has been a big part of things, leading the squad in hits and RBIs and also being among the top run scorers on the team. Kyle Ruedisili has settled in to play a large role, while Sousa, Ellmyer and Swift all provide solid production for the Bucs.

Chad Swift is one of many experienced hurlers for the Bucs.

It has been a rollercoaster season for Benjamin, with the high points coming in walk-off wins over rival Kings Academy and then Pope John Paul II in the HSBN Game of the Week. They have locked horns with some of the toughest competition around, and now is their chance to use those experiences to dig in and charge after a district title. To do they must play their game and beat teams they have already beaten this season, and they have every reason to be confident in their approach.

3. Florida Air Academy – The Falcons split the meetings with Benjamin, as each side won the home contest. Florida Air struggled against Bucs starter Bennett Sousa, who shut them down with double-digits strikeouts. The Falcons should expect to see the left-hander again and will have to find more success this time around if they are going to keep their season going.

4. John Carroll – It is a tough road ahead for the Rams, but the best thing they have going for them is the home field advantage. John Carroll has every reason to believe it can dispatch St. Edward’s, but then they will have to focus on the dangerous and talented Hustlers. The Rams have played their best baseball down the stretch, and they are hoping to carry that momentum into the district playoffs.

5. St. Edward’s – The Pirates have struggled down the stretch, including a long losing streak at the end of the season. Having gone winless in the district, St. Edward’s will look for their first win in this pack in order to keep its season alive.

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