North Broward Reloaded For Another State Run

Senior Mack Nathanson perhaps says it best when he remarks that this year’s Eagles squad is the most cohesive group they have had in a while. The way this bunch has come together as a team is remarkable, the way they play hard on every play is inspiring, and the respect and faith they have in one another is refreshing.

North Broward Prep is a team of character, determination and just enough moxie to give them the confidence to succeed. It is a program that has always thrived off unity and excelling through team baseball. The Eagles are not far removed from their last run at a state title, and in 2014 they bring a crop of players to the field every bit capable of leading this club back for another go at it.

The Eagles survived a very difficult district last season to emerge as the district runners up, only to see their run end in the regional quarterfinals in a loss to Monsignor Pace. The roster lost five seniors to graduation, and then its top returning pitcher moved to Minnesota to leave the team needing to retool its entire pitching staff. There is not a position on the field that is spoken for, and there is healthy competition between virtually every player on the club.

Even though guys are competing against one another, it is a group that is tighter and more together than most that Manager Brian Campbell has seen in his seven years at the helm.

“The chemistry on this team is great,” said senior infielder Eddie Badaraco. “I feel like we are brothers. We have an instant bond and we click well. I don’t like being quiet, so I try to be the guy who keeps the team up. I want to be that guy who is pushing and motivating the team. It keeps the dugout loose during games so guys don’t get too tense.”

There are elements of every type of character a team could want, and together everyone is on the same page with what they want and how they are supposed to go get it. The players trust their skipper, as well as their assistant coaches Doug Jennings, Kelly Wright and Danny Kearn. The guys have long ago come to learn what invaluable coaching they receive, and what a special environment the Eagles clubhouse is.

In 2014 Coach Campbell is able to use an example with Will Simpson, a player who moved on this year to play collegiate baseball for Florida Tech. The coaches had suggested a change in his approach last season, and the senior committed himself to it and became the staple of their bullpen. Simpson pitched in 21 of the team’s games, typically coming in to the worst circumstances, and always getting the job done.

“I commend Will for working and committing to it,” said Campbell, who admits he uses him as an example with the current players quite often. “Even when it wasn’t working he stuck with it, because at the end of the day it would pay off. It’s something where the goal is way out there and it’s hard to get there. You may have to stumble and fall but you have to keep working and hoping. Will made a change, he committed to it and he perfected his craft. It’s one of those moments that I am as proud of him as I am for any kid who has come through our program.”

The revamped pitching staff has seen what the reward can be, and this new group may lack experience together but they provide plenty of pitching ability. Right-handers Brian Fagan and Max Tannenbaum and lefty Anthony Masiello are returning guys from within the program, and they are young, raw hurlers with a lot of promise. They should find comfortable opportunities in support behind the team’s crop of new transfers.

The Eagles staff got a big boost this year from three transfers, including one proven veteran who is ready to step up to the lead role. Right-hander Michael Rand comes over from Zion Lutheran, while Christian Manero arrives from Flanagan. Also transferring from Zion is senior Alex Ernestine, who seems all but assured to earn the number one spot as the guy who gets the ball in their biggest games.

Ernestine has pitched in some big games in his high school career, and he has performed well. With Zion qualifying for the 2A regional playoffs in each of the previous two seasons, it put Ernestine into some big pressure situations. He proved each time he got the ball that he was up to the task. This valuable experience will be crucial to help set the tone for a team confident but still unproven.

“Just having those two years behind me and knowing the teams we have to play, you have to bring the mound presence for the crowd and the intensity,” said Ernestine. “I look forward to bringing that here and really showing the younger kids what that’s all about, and how to overcome the screaming and everything. The crowds get rowdy and you have to zone them out and go straight-forward to the plate. You don’t get too ahead of yourself and don’t let them get to you. Just have that mindset and do what you have to do.”

The staff has embraced the new makeup of their group, and the guys are all pulling for one another. Ernestine notes how he has enjoyed taking their young left-hander under his wing, and how he is rooting for him to make the varsity team. They have benefited from the work they put in with their new pitching coach, and the guys have confidence in one another to get the job done. As one of the older guys of the group, Ernestine enjoys the chances to mentor and show how much a composed pitcher can set the right tone for everyone.

“On the mound throwing strikes and having composure, everyone behind me sees that and lets it rub off on them,” said Ernestine. “If they see the main guy just brush pressure off, they’ll realize that there is no pressure. It makes it that much easier for those guys to swing the bats and score some runs and be a part of it.”

North Broward has never struggled much to score runs, particularly at home in their small ballpark. The group this season seems to provide the same strong mix of speed and power they have always thrived off of, with the dangerous bat of senior Hernando Sierra supplanted right in the middle of things. Sierra’s junior campaign saw him hit .356, with 18 runs, 23 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He had a strong summer and fall season and is poised to wreck havoc to set the offensive tone.

Mack Nathanson is another of the team’s most accomplished hitters, and is also someone who sets the example of the versatility the coaches are looking for. Even though the team’s starting catcher hit for big power numbers with a .427 batting average, 23 runs, 20 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits, the coaches have elected to have Nathanson bat at the top of their order. It is something they moved to late last year, and the way he has been able to utilize his speed with his strong hitting has proved invaluable.

Coach Campbell has proven he is not committed to any singular game plan in regards to each member of his personnel. There are spots to be won and guys are competing to get on the field anywhere they are capable of performing. The guys know the more versatile they are the better opportunity they have to play. The way the team hits helps them roll out different defensive alignments, even if they are not always their strongest pairings.

“They want to play and I want to play them, so the more they can do the better opportunity they have,” said Campbell. “We want a culture where we earn victory and where we earn everything we get. I think the guys enjoy that and it teaches them that nothing is going to be handed to you; that if you want something you have to work for it. Even if you don’t get it at first, keep grinding and it can happen.”

Competition drives this team, even as everyone works to follow the new direction that focuses on pitching and defense. Campbell notes that offense wins games, but pitching and defense wins championships. He wants his pitchers to throw to contact and force opponents to swing the bats, for the defense to play aggressive and for the offense to follow that same aggressive approach at the plate. He wants hitters to put pressure on the opposing defense by thinking two bases on hits. Those guys who execute this approach best will earn the most chances.

“The competition drives us to be better and brings us closer as a team. It helps us understand games, because our practices can be harder than any of the games,” said Nathanson, who is also adjusting to being one of the leaders on this squad. “It’s new for me, but being the catcher I feel I have to help the younger guys. On the field the catcher is the quarterback and in the clubhouse I want to lead by example. They see me hustling down and they start hustling too.”

Hustle is all that they can ask for. The Eagles will play a tough schedule just the same as always, and they will push themselves everyday and try to be as prepared as possible when the district tournament rolls around. The coaches want them to put their trust in their teammates and know that they will put their best product on the field and live with those results.

“The only way to win championships is to have guys who are up to the challenge,” said Campbell. “If you have a bunch of guys on the same page who are working and putting their teammates before they put themselves, that’s when you’ve got something special. We’ve got a group who believes in being their brother’s keepers, and being teammates they want to play with.”

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