District 7A-16 Preview: Spreading It Around

One used to be able to count on the district final being Nova and St. Thomas.

Now, it’s not that simple anymore as Plantation, South Broward, Cooper City and McArthur heat up the competition.

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

COOPER CITY COWBOYS
2012 Record: 10-12
Head Coach: Wayne Stofsky
Key Returners: Nicholas Salatare (Jr. SS), Evan Santiago (Sr. C), Brian Cohen (Sr. C), Jacob Frisaro (Sr. RHP), Jaret Catron (Sr. LHP), Nick D’Andre (Sr. RHP), Jaxson Nix (Jr. 2B), Alex Jacobs (Sr. 1B/OF)
Newcomers to Watch: David Guadalupe (So., OF); Juan Tiexeira (Fr., OF)
Our season will be a success if…

“…the team has good pitching and defense with timely hitting.”

A new era is set to begin at Cooper City, and recently hired manager Wayne Stofsky is hopeful that someday everybody in town will know who the team is.

“We want Cooper City to be a program others will respect and admire,” Stofsky said. “Everything will come from commitment, attitude and community service. We don’t want to lose kids to other programs, and we want the kids in our community to be excited to play at Cooper City.”

Cowboys Athletic Director Paul Megna reached out to Stofsky just a short time before the start of the season, looking to fill the head position that had been vacant since the end of the 2012 season. Although Stofsky had been out of coaching for a short time, his baseball resume as well as his colorful professional career in broadcasting are proven credentials that have ignited a new passion in the program.

Among his major baseball accomplishments, Stofsky played his high school ball for Pat McQuaid at Nova, then went on to play for legendary college coach Skip Bertman at Louisiana State University, where he was fortunate to play in two College World Series. He also led the NCAA in hits during his senior season at Florida Atlantic University, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Science Sports Administration.

More recently Stofsky helped start the baseball program at Sagemont in 2004 and 2005.

This impressive baseball pedigree has helped earn the players respect as the team looks to rebuild its program.

“We’re running a Division I college program at the high school level,” Stofsky said. “That is our mentality, and the response has been fantastic. The players respect it, but even more the parents also respect it.”

The Cowboys have added an impressive group of young assistant coaches all of whom come from successful local high school programs. Michael Hartley is a former Nova player; Brian Loonam comes from St. Thomas Aquinas and Dave Thomas is formerly of Flanagan High. Rounding out the staff is Jack Nix, who is credited with rescuing the program by holding down the coaching reins during the summer and fall seasons.

The Cowboys lack very much game experience this season, but they counter that with youthful energy and a glut of team speed. The team plan is geared at playing aggressively, putting pressure on the other team and exploiting their weaknesses.

An important cog comes in junior shortstop Nicholas Saltare, who has good hands and a good arm while manning a key defensive position. Senior catcher’s Evan Santiago and Brian Cohen represent the remaining returning players who have logged significant playing time.

The Cowboys have gotten a nice boost from a pair of transfers, with sophomore outfielder David Guadalupe coming over from Somerset and freshman outfielder Juan Tiexeira joining the team after moving to the area from Venezuela.

The team’s pitching staff will be headed by senior right-handers Nick D’Andrea and Jacob Frisare, and lefty Jaret Catron. Sophomore righty Joey Cuttrone has also emerged as a strong candidate to log quality innings this season.

“Cuttrone throws hard and he has nasty stuff,” Stofsky admitted. “Good pitching and defense and then timely hitting is what we’re all about. I don’t care if we bat .250 so long as we move the runners when we have to.”

MCARTHUR MUSTANGS
2012 Record: 6-14
Head Coach: Brian Clark
Key Returners: Kevin Rosario, Javier Aguilar, Michael Bosco, Jorge Alvarez, Mike Velez
Newcomers to Watch: Brandon Frantz
Team Strengths: Return eight starters, senior leadership
Team Weaknesses: Not many innings from pitchers returning, not much experience on bench
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“We have five or six players who will play college ball in 2014.”

After a lackluster 2012 season in which leadership among the players was nonexistent, the McArthur Mustangs are working hard this fall to right the ship.

Longtime St. Thomas assistant coach Brian Clark began a new chapter in his professional career when he took over as McArthur’s manager last year.

As is often the case when new managers take over, there’s an adjustment period. Clark thinks the team is past that stage now and is ready to compete under his system.

“Last year, they were looking to feel me out and I was going to feel them out,” Clark said. “We had some growing pains, me as the head coach and them trying to get used to my system. We’ve both have changed and adapted to each other. The fall has started pretty well. We’re 5-0 so far. Even though it doesn’t count, it’s good for confidence. Being in the district we’re in, we need all the confidence we can get, so hopefully it’ll turn out to be a better year.”

Senior infielder Kevin Rosario said the players know Clark’s intentions are in their best interest.

“Last year, he was getting to know us, but this year, he’s serious about it,” Rosario said. “He’s here to make us better and here to make us win the district for our senior year.”

The team returns 10 seniors and Clark has finally seen some leaders emerge with Rosario, Javier Aguliar and Michael Bosco stepping up to guide the younger players.

Continue reading…


NOVA TITANS
2012 Record: 23-2
Head Coach: Pat McQuaid
Key Returners: Ryan Merante (Sr. IF), Luis Rodriguez (Sr. DH/2B), Gabe Valverde (Sr. C), Brandon McCalla (Jr. 1B), Jimmy Humphrey (Sr. 1B), Jesse Pirtle (Sr. 1B), Michael Majer (Jr. C), Frank Graf (Jr. 2B), Rueben Diaz (Sr. LF), Jose Garcia (Sr. CF), Cole Habig (Jr. OF), Ben Torres (Jr., OF)
Newcomers to Watch: Nick Marchese (So. RHP/1B), Louis Pugliese (Jr. RHP), Kyle Pengallo (Jr. SS)
Our season will be a success if…

“…pitchers throw strikes and they play great defense.”

Nova Manager Pat McQuaid enters the season outside of his normal comfort zone regarding his Titans squad.

After graduating 11 players this past year, the Titans are looking to fill several key positions, and McQuaid has been moving players around much more than he traditionally prefers.

“They are not consistent this year,” McQuaid admitted. “I don’t know what they will do until we get them into game situations. If they grow up fast then we’ll be OK.”

The Titans are young this season, and its pitching staff has logged no varsity innings. It is a talented and hard-working group that has solid fundamentals and strong character, but the players simply lack game experience.

The Titans have a storied tradition in which they have qualified for the state playoffs every season since 1993, and McQuaid maintains the same high standard for his current group.

“We have high standards here,” McQuaid said. “We tell them about the tradition and hope they grow into it.”

An excellent example of what it means to play for this program has been exhibited throughout the team’s preseason, as many former alumni and their affiliates have regularly come to work with the players at practice. Current major leaguers Michael Morse and Anthony Swarzak have become regular fixtures, while a crop of energetic minor leaguers headed by Jeff Fiorentino, Tim Remes, Billy Block and Joey Housey has taken live batting practice against the team’s pitching staff.

“These are pro guys, and the kids see what it takes to carry on the tradition,” McQuaid said. “It’s great for the pitchers; if they can get these guys out then they can get a high school kid out.”

Although the team is still settling many position battles within its lineup, there is plenty of talent to help carry this team.

The defense should be strongest up the middle, where senior Ryan Merante will split time between second and third base alongside junior shortstop Kyle Pengallo. Luis Rodriguez and Frank Graf will also split time at second base, while seniors Jimmy Humphrey and Jesse Pirtle will platoon at first base behind junior Brandon McCalla.

Pengallo plays the game the way it should be played, as McQuaid puts it, with a gun for an arm and the chance to grow into a special player.

Leading the pitching staff will be sophomore right-hander Nick Marchese and junior Luis Pugliese, and senior Gabe Valverde will fill the closer’s role.

Valverde also serves as the team’s top catcher, but McQuaid is hopeful either McCalla or junior Michael Majer will assume the spot in order to allow Valverde to slide to third base.

The Titans should also be in good shape in the outfield, where a speedy and athletic group is lead by Reuben Diaz, Jose Garcia, Cole Habig and Ben Torres.

“We must throw strikes and play defense,” McQuaid said. “We may not score as many runs as usual, and we may give up a few too many. We’ve got about 15 kids who are all about the same. We’re going to put out nine guys who we think can play and then they have to play.”


PLANTATION COLONELS
2012 Record: 11-11
Head Coach: Neil Andreoli
Key Returners: RJ Henle, Sam Reich, Adam Mustafa, Oniell Meijia
Matt Costa, Tyler Price
Newcomers to Watch: Chris Yearsley, Ryan Smith
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, speed
Team Weaknesses: Hitting
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“We will be an exciting team that will play hard.”

With the loss of eight seniors to graduation and a new coach on board, change is in the air at Plantation.

Neil Andreoli has taken over as the new manager, replacing Albert Destrade and bringing experience working with college players and a desire to win and improve the image of Plantation baseball.

“He shows a new voice,” said Robert Henle, who is expected to be the team’s ace this spring. “Coach Destrade had his style of baseball, but [Andreoli] wants to play aggressive and play hard and I love that. I love playing hard and playing aggressive. He knows his stuff. It’s not like he’s coming in and doesn’t know anything.”

Andreoli moved down from New Jersey a few years ago and brought with him experience coaching college players in summer leagues. He coached with University School manager Rich Hofman two years ago and then with Pompano Beach manager Ryan Combs last year. When the Plantation job opened up, he saw a good opportunity.

“I just felt like it’s my third year here in the area. I know the layout of the land of the baseball a little bit,” he said. “I want to take over a program, develop a young team, which we have, get them up and get the kids into college. Plantation has never been a power. We want to develop and grow and make people want to come play here.”

In order to achieve success and build up the program, Andreoli is starting by getting his system in place this fall.

Continue reading…

ST. THOMAS RAIDERS
2012 Record: 14-9
Head Coach: Troy Cameron
Key Returners: Alec Byrd, Will Arpin, Pat Brundage, Austin Krystoff, Richie Naylor, Peter Nicoletto, Frankie Richardson, Frankie Rubio, Chris Schloss, Alec Spano, Teddy Meissner, Ross Thibeault, Christian Demby, Carter White
Newcomers to Watch: Andrew Colangelo, Brady Acton, Rafa Amanau, Ray Apruzzese, Kevin Balfour, Grant Black, Hunter Schofield, Alex Dickinson, Jawuan Harris, Gary Mattis
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense
Team Weaknesses: Inexperienced hitting
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

“We teach the game. We don’t try to reinvent it. We will be aggressive and play the game right.”

The St. Thomas baseball program has consistently been one of the top teams in the county over the past decade. There was a time, however, when the program was even more successful.

Troy Cameron played for St. Thomas during some of the programs best years in the ’90s. Cameron, who became the first Broward County high school baseball player to be drafted in the first round when he was selected 29th overall by Atlanta in 1997, wants St. Thomas to have a taste of those better days again. That desire to help his alma mater return to greatness has carried Cameron to the head coaching position at St. Thomas.

Cameron, who inherits the Raiders program from another St. Thomas legend, Bobby Lawson, is tasked with guiding the Raiders as they look to improve on a 14-9 record last year. St. Thomas reached the regional quarterfinals in 2012 before losing 5-4 to Monarch.

“I know there’s going to be some bumps in the road along the way this being my first go at coaching, but baseball is one of those things where if you get a chance to give back to the game of baseball, then you do it,” Cameron said. “So this is my opportunity and my chance to do it, not just to the game of baseball and what I’ve gotten out of it, but also to my alma mater. It’s just a good situation to be able to coach here and hopefully get the program going.”

Senior Frank Rubio said having Cameron as coach has the team energized and ready to get down to business as the fall season cranks up.
Continue reading…

SOUTH BROWARD BULLDOGS
2012 Record: 9-11
Head Coach: Joe Giummule
Key Returners: Ken Rasor, Colin Tindall, Mike Cohick, Matt Cohick, Cody Behr, Makana Gilliand, John Magginis, Brian Mugione
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense
Team Weaknesses: Lack of power

South Broward manager Joe Giummule and his staff are probably going to have some tough choices to make in January.

It’s a good problem to have in this case.

Although some coaches may be unsure who’s going to start in the spring because their teams lack players, Giummule is unsure for quite the opposite reason: depth across the diamond and competition for positions.

Right now, there are no freshman or sophomores on the team, which includes about 14 seniors.

“I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, but at least there’s veterans out there who have been playing together for the last three or four years,” said Giummule, who is going into his fourth year as South Broward’s manager.

“Our starting nine, no matter who it is, we have a strong bench,” said Ken Rasor, one of the team’s top hitters last season. “No matter who’s on the bench, they can come in and play any position. So we’ll be deep in the rotation, deep in the field, deep everywhere.”

The team is made up of players who saw a good amount of playing time last year. They’ve all had at least 60 varsity at-bats and the pitchers have thrown at least 20 innings.

Continue reading…

Leave a comment using your facebook account!