Expectations Are High For Young Westminster Academy Team

Westminster Academy battled through a tough schedule last year and came out in one piece. The Lions didn’t have any superstars or a lot of senior experience. Still, they managed a 16-win season and a respectable finish of third in their district.

This year, the Lions are still young with few seniors again, but players and coaches there believe the team will hold its own just fine against its district and non-district competition alike.

This fall, manager Nick James finds himself with a group of determined players looking to perhaps regain some of those glory days the program saw under veteran coach Rich Hofman. The current program may not quite be as successful as those Westminster teams of about a decade or so ago, but these players are giving it their all.

“I’m just excited,” James said. “We’ve got some fantastic kids who get it done not only on the field but in the classroom as well. We couldn’t be happier with their effort, energy and enthusiasm.”

Westminster, which finished last season 16-9 and 4-4 in its district, lost key players Will Buschman, Joey Knight, Derek Borgeson and Daniel Burns to graduation. Buschman was a big contributor on the mound, throwing 25.2 innings and striking out 38 while posting a 1.36 ERA. Burns threw 34.1 innings and went 4-0 with a 2.65 ERA and 27 strikeouts. Buschman also was the team’s top hitter with a .361 average and a team-leading 22 runs. Burns hit .311, Knight .300 and Borgeson .283.

“We lost Buschman, our starting short stop, which is kind of a big deal,” returning player Weston Clemente said. “That was a big team captain that we lost. We just have to regroup and see who’s going to take his place this fall.”

James said he’s expecting big things this year from the underclassmen.

“We had a great group of seniors, but it gives the younger players an opportunity to step up and compete,” James said. “They gained valuable experience and we’ll rely on that as we head into this year.”

James will count on Clemente and Daniel Donofrio to be the team’s top pitchers this year and also be solid for the team in other areas.

James said Clemente will be “carrying the load on the mound” and will be relied upon in the middle of the lineup, picking up where he left off last year batting .300. His 17 RBI were the most on the team.

Donofrio is a four-year starter who is key in all areas. James said he pitched well in tough situations last year.

“This is really his year to take over,” James said. “He had a great year on the mound and was one of the better hitters. He plays solid defense and we’ll be asking him to carry the load and be a mainstay defensively.”

Clemente and Donofrio “proved they were able to compete and give us a chance to win,” James said.

Clemente said he’s ready to have a good year alongside Donofrio.

“I think we have a pretty good staff between me and Dono,” Clemente said. “He’s actually dropped down to a sidearm now. I think he did that last year, but he’s starting to rise up and show some talent.”

After Clemente and Donofrio, there are some question marks as to who will emerge as other top pitchers. The number three likely will be Blake Kidwell, who threw 14 innings and went 2-1 last year with a 1.50 ERA.

Zach Gonzalez, a four-year starter who primarily plays at first base, also could see some innings, though the lefty didn’t pitch last year.

Returning catcher Sam Etter is “a solid arm behind the plate” who will be counted on help control the running game, James said.

Other key infielders include Jake Dudas, who “got valuable playing experience last year playing a lot of infield positions,” James said.

Donofrio also will be in the infield when not pitching.

The team will be least experienced in the outfield, an area in which Westminster doesn’t have any returning starters. Andrew Gross is among the players who show promise in this area.

Both Donofrio and James remarked about the competition for positions and how that is defining the team this fall.

“I really like the way these guys are going after it,” James said. “They bring a blue-collar mentality to practice. I think we’ll swing it a little bit better. We’ve got guys who are passionate and putting in the work to make good thing a reality.”

Donofrio also acknowledged the effort he’s seen by his teammates.

“We’re going to be the hardest working team in this district I believe and we’ll make up for a lot of talent with a lot of hard work and do the small things,” he said. “If we throw strikes, get batters out and play defense, our bats are fine right now and we’ll find ways to win.”

Donofrio expressed his plans to show leadership to his younger teammates.

“I’m going to work as hard as everyone else,” he said. “I’m going to push [the younger players] and make sure the younger guys don’t slack off. Everyone is fighting for a job right now. There’s no spots just given. I believe I can help lead this team along with a couple of other seniors. Everyone wants to play together, and everyone always wants to do what’s best for this team, whether that role is bunting or hitting doubles. They want to do that job as well as they possibly can.”

Westminster will need all the hard work it can muster to remain competitive in a small district that also includes Calvary Christian, Coral Springs Christian, Sagemont and Highlands Christian.

“It’s tough in a district likes ours, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for those programs,” James said. “It’s a tough district that we’re excited to be part of with that talent and those coaches.”

Donofrio is confident the Lions will come out strong in the district clashes.

“I know Calvary is going to be very good this year along with Coral Springs Christian — they have a couple of good players — and Highlands and Sagemont are always competitive against us, but I believe we’ll be just fine. We did well last year and finished third. I believe a lot of our players want to get that district title and we’re going to push ourselves. Coach James wants it more than any of us, and he’s going to push us to that spot.”

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