District 14-3A Preview: Things Just Got One Team Tougher

Highlands Christian joins an already strong district, moving up from 1A to 3A, but Knights coach Bruce Charlebois is quite familiar with the team’s new district foes.

“It’s a district we’ve been in before. There’s very good competition in that district, so it’s very exciting for me,” he said. “Some people would love to get back at us, and we have a target on our back right now.”

While Calvary Christian is rebuilding and Coral Springs Christian is buzzing with experienced arms, Sagemont, Highlands and Westminster will looking to make statements of their own.

Below is a preview of the district.

Calvary Christian Eagles

2011 Record: 18-8-1
Head Coach: Gregg Mucerino
Key Returners: Ryan Reilly (CF), Austin Sovay (P), Andrew Liberty (SS), Stephen Barnett (OF), Nick Kumar (1B, 3B)
Newcomers to Watch: Luke Poirier (C/P), Abraham Alejandro (INF), Jake Jackson (P), Andrew Gottfried (P, OF), Alec Berizzi (P)
Team Strengths: Team speed
Team Weaknesses: Lack of pitching depth, catching

Something people not around your program need to know about your team?

“Coach Mucerino’s track record getting players to the next level. All six seniors and one junior from 2011 playing college baseball. The lone senior from 2010 is pitching in the minor leagues. A senior from 2009 is pitching at the Naval Academy and played in the NCAA Tourney last
year.”

It’s a rebuilding year for the Eagles, who lost 10 players, including Taylor Gushue, who skipped his senior season to go to the University of Florida early. Gushue, a BrowardHighSchoolBaseball.com All-County second-teamer last year, hit .390 with nine home runs and 25 RBI.

Pitching will be down considerably as Seth Natal, Ryan Lowrey and Chris Walkerow have graduated, leaving Austin Sovay as a key returning player on the staff. He pitched only 12 innings last year, but he averaged a strikeout in each of them. Coach Gregg Mucerino said the key will be keeping him healthy this year.

The Eagles have to “make the routine plays on defense and not issue walks as our pitching staff will not rely on the strikeout like years past at CCA,” Mucerino said.

Less power at the plate also will figure in Eagles’ plans as Mucerino said they’re “flipping our approach.”

But Calvary finds a bright spot in its defense, anchored by short stop Andrew Liberty. “I’m excited about what he brings,” Mucerino said.

Another plus is good team speed with four guys sub-sevens.

Mucerino underscored the program’s ability to get players to the next level.

“Every player who has wanted to go on has gotten that opportunity, and we’re real proud of that,” he said.

Coral Springs Christian Academy Crusaders

2011 Record: 18-9
Head Coach: Matt Cleveland
Key Returners: Billy Atkins (Sr. P), Nick Lamberti (Sr. 1B/P), Ryan Milner (Sr. INF/P), Zach Butler (Sr. C), Luke Bramos (Sr. INF).
Newcomers to Watch: FR C/IF Domininc DiCaprio (Fr. C/INF), Touki Toussaint (So. P/INF), Brandon Rodrigues (Jr. LHP), Shane Wilder (Sr. OF), Ryan Cabreja (Sr. OF/LHP), Sebastian Gomez (Sr. C/1B)
Team Strengths: Pitching and defense
Team Weaknesses: Offense

Something people not around your program need to know about your team?

“The atmosphere here. We break out of each team huddle to the word “family.” We talk a lot about this in setting expectations at the beginning of the year. If someone thinks about their own family, you won’t always agree, you may even get frustrated with each other when life happens, but at the end of the day, no one is more important to you than family, and you would do whatever you could to help them be successful and not be harmed. Our kids do a great job of buying into this.”

The Crusaders return three of their top four arms, including BrowardHighSchoolBaseball.com second-teamer Billy Atkins, who went 7-1 last season with a 2.16 ERA and 55 strikeouts. The other two returners are Nick Lamberti, who went 3-2 and struck out 33, and Ryan Milner.

They have also added two solid left-handers in Brandon Rodrigues and Ryan Cabreja. Touki Toussaint, who pitched for the 16-Under Team USA this summer, will be a solid addition as well.

“Our players will throw strikes, and we’ll play good defense,” coach Matt Cleveland said. “Those are the pillars to winning. This is the deepest pitching staff and best defensive team I’ve ever had.”

Not bad for a team that lost eight seniors, six of whom had been with the program for five years.

Offense will require the most work. The Crusaders graduated four guys who hit over .360 with 24 home runs and 135 RBIs from their lineup last year.

“This years returners and new comers will have to learn the system, get comfortable and pick up where those guys left off,” coach Matt Cleveland said. “This is much easier said than done.”

Cleveland said the season will be a success if “we stay healthy and get better every day. Baseball requires one not to get to high or low on success and failures and never to look behind or ahead. We just need to work hard and take the season one day, one moment at a time. If we do that we can be very successful. As far as how far we go in the playoffs, I let my team set those goals, and they
haven’t been established yet. I am sure they will set them high. My job is to get them prepared and give them a chance to reach their goals.”

Highlands Christian Knights

2011 Record: 15-11
Head Coach: Bruce Charlebois
Key Returners: Kirvin Moesquit (SS), Kevin Yambor (2B), Carlton Cleare
Newcomers to Watch: Harry Karlsen (C), Riley Strickland (OF), Stephan Winklaar (RHP. RF), Deion Rosali (3B)
Team Strengths: Character, chemistry, hitting
Team Weaknesses: Youth, inexperience, depth

Our season will be a success if….

“We stay healthy, and we keep God first.”

After taking a year off on sabbatical, Bruce Charlebois is back to shepherd the Knights. But he doesn’t have the team he could have come back to.

“We lost some decent talent,” he said. “We’re a little light with the depth chart.”

Among the players whom Highlands lost are Eric Hepple, younger brother of star Jason Hepple, who has graduated. Hepple transferred to Zion Lutheran. Tre Dingus now is playing at Coral Springs.

One of the guys coming back, however, is Kirvin Moesquit, who Charlebois called “the real deal.”

“He’s the total package,” he said. “He’s a five-tool player. He can do some very good things defensively.”

Kevin Yambor returns after hitting .408 with 36 RBI last year, and Charlebois said he is “expecting him to put a little more power numbers. He’s going to lead the team in doubles.”

Returning player Carlton Cleare is “one of the fastest kids I’ve ever coached,” Charlesbois said.

Although the the Knights lost Hepple and Dingus, they’ve picked up a key addition in catcher Harry Karlsen, who transferred from perennial powerhouse Palm Beach Central.

“He’s got great plate command,” Charlebois said. “He’s a mature hitter. He’s willing to move guys.”

Another key transfer into the program is Riley Strickland, an outfielder from American Heritage Delray.

Charlebois is proud of the team’s work ethic and their concern for each other.

“They’re very other-centered,” he said. “I’ve not seen a prideful moment in the first two weeks of practice. They’ve a very humble group.”

Sagemont Lions

2011 Record: 8-11
Head Coach: Tommy Martinez
Key Returners: Ashton Martinez, Brynn Martinez, Sean Iacono, Brian McCarthy
Newcomers to Watch: Eddy Milian, Tony Colon
Team Strengths: Hitting, power, speed

Something people not around your program need to know about your team?

“Our team works together and strives to make their talk their walk. We stress the thought that if you think you can or you can’t, you’re right, but if you believe you can, you will. WE speak the truth to our players and try to get them to just follow the plan that we put out
there.”

Sagemont coach Tommy Martinez realizes his team is fairly young, but he can not help feeling good about who is a part of the team.

Ashton Martinez has a knack for the long ball, consistently cranking out shots between 380 and 400 feet. His 6-foot-2 frame, coupled with a powerful arm that can throw in the lower 90s has made him an attractive prospect.

Brynn Martinez has played on an 18-under squad for the previous two seasons and it has allowed him to elevate his play. Possessing plus speed with a 6.7 60-yard dash, coach Martinez will look to him to swipe bases on a regular basis.

Another strong bat in the lineup is expected to be Brian McCarthy, who Martinez speaks highly of his potential.

Inexperience on the mound remains a concern for Martinez. He’ll also look to Ashton to provide some bullpen help when needed.

When Martinez was asked what would need to happen in order for his team to be successful, he responded with team unity as being a big factor.

“The team plays as one, continues to encourage each other and are willing to make adjustments in their game when coached to do so,” Martinez said. “We are counting on Ashton with his pop with the bat, Brynn with his speed, running, stealing bases and playing short, and continuing to be a good, steady player. With new arrival, Eddy Milan and Tony Colon coming through in playing positions they are not used to and keeping the big stick for us. Sean Iacono is able to play after coming back from a serious injury.”

Westminster Academy Lions

2011 Record: 16-9
Head Coach: Nick James
Key Returners: Will Buschmann (Sr. SS/P), Daniel D’onofrio (Jr. P/2B), Daniel Burns (Sr. P/OF), Derek Borgeson (Sr. OF), Joey Knight (Sr. DH/1B)
Newcomers to Watch: Weston Clemente (So. P/OF), Samuel Etter (So. C)
Team Strengths: Solid senior leadership, return entire pitching staff from last season, as well as the solid additions of Clemente on the mound and Etter behind the plate.
Team Weaknesses: Lack of depth, young in a few key areas
Our season will be a success if….

“We can come together as a group, control the controllable, and enjoy the process of getting better each day.”

The Lions return their entire pitching staff, which includes Will Buschmann, Daniel D’onofrio, Daniel Burns, Blake Kidwell and Zach Dudas. Buschmann is the projected number one starter, who coach Nick James identified as a “quality right-handed pitcher” who controls the strike zone and had command of all three pitches.

The staff will be joined by newcomer Weston Celemente, who also will play in the outfield. Sam Etter is a key addition at catcher.

Overall, the team returns everyone except for two, so solid senior leadership will help guide the team in a tough district.

The Lions are strong up the middle but young in a few other areas.

James expressed respect for the rest of the teams in the district.

“The four other teams are competitive and very well-coached,” he said. “Day in and day out, it’s not easy for anyone. Every team can play. All four are high-caliber and top-notch.”

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