Goleman Looks to Lead the Pack in District 14-8A

The new District 14-8A, realigned from what was mostly District 14-6A, sees district-winner Hialeah Thoroughbreds depart to District 16-6A along with the Northwestern Bulls. Joining District 14-8A are the Goleman Gators, the Miami Senior Stingarees and the Reagan Bison.

When asked what team they saw at the top of the district, nearly every coach in 14-8A said Goleman. The only other teams that finished above .500 last season that remain in the district are the Miami Springs Golden Hawks and Coral Gables Cavaliers. Rounding out the division are the Miami Beach Hi-tides, led by 30-plus-year coaching veteran Lewis Mart.

Goleman Gators
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez

2011 Record: 17-8
Key Returning Players: 
Cory Errastazu, Carlos Sosa, Michael Fernandez
Team Strengths: Speed, defense

Goleman Gators skipper Jose Fernandez is treating his fourth season as head coach pretty much the same way he treated his first.

“It’s the same thing every year,” Fernandez said. “We’re working on fundamentals. Taking a lot of swings, running the bases, things like that.”

Fernandez pretty much has a clean slate to work with. The Gators were runners-up to Hialeah in their district last season but graduated more than half their team. They are still seen as the favorites by nearly every coach in the district, however.

Their inexperience may cost them early on, but Fernandez trusts they will improve as the season progresses.

“Our weakness is really our inexperience,” Fernandez said. “But I expect to see progress as we work our drills and get some valuable practice as the season goes on.”

The Gators will look for leadership from returning seniors P/OF 
Cory Errastazu, 1B Carlos Sosa and OF Michael Fernandez. They open their season hosting the Miami Beach Hi-tides Feb. 21.

Coral Gables Cavaliers
Head Coach: Philip Wisser

2011 Record: 17-7
Key Returning Players: 
Dillon Maya, David Plotkin, Antonio Rodriguez, Andres Jiron, Alex Pinero, Gerson Sotolongo, Imad Reinosa
Team Strengths: Experience

For Coral Gables Cavaliers head coach Philip Wisser, a season like this comes around only every once in a while.

“I’m really excited about this group of kids,” Wisser said. “This is the year I’ve been looking for with this group of seniors.”

Wisser has plenty to be excited about with six of eight position players and his entire rotation returning from the district runner-up 17-7 Cavs of last season. That includes FIU commit Dillon Maya and 2011 All-Dade first-teamer David Plotkin on the mound.

“This is a great group of kids,” Wisser said. “Disciplined, well-behaved, just a dream to work with.”

Wisser will look to repeat the Cavs’ 2010 season when they won their district and finished an impressive 23-6. They get their first crack of the bat at South Miami in their regular-season opener Feb. 13.

Miami Senior Stingarees
Head Coach: Frank Suarez

2011 Record: 13-12

Key Returning Players: Fabian Pena, Andres Suarez, Johan Torre
Team Strengths: Discipline

In his 10 seasons as the head coach, Stingarees coach Frank Suarez has seen a lot of change in Miami-Dade high school baseball.

“I don’t know if there is too many teams, a lot more high schools, or the area has changed,” Suarez said, “but the quality of baseball has declined, especially at Miami Senior.”

The Stingarees have not enjoyed much success as of late, having consecutive losing seasons and not qualifying for the playoffs. Suarez lost two of his starters to private schools and has just a handful of seniors returning.

“Our struggles began a couple years ago,” Suarez said. “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I demand a lot from my players. Kids these days they don’t like that. This group of kids I have though are disciplined, and I require them to keep a 2.4 GPA. After all, baseball to me is secondary to education.”

Miami Senior will look to freshmen phenom catcher Fabian Pena to lead them behind the plate along with senior outfielder Johan Torre and coach Suarez’ son Andres at shortstop.

The Stingarees start their season with a three-game homestand beginning with Coral Gables Feb. 21, then Reagan Feb. 23 and Miami Springs Feb. 28.

Reagan Bison
Head Coach: Jessy Rodriguez

2011 Record: 8-14

Key Returning Players: 
Michael Diaz, Luis Rincon, Brandon Romero
Team Strengths: Play as a team, experience

For Reagan head coach Jessy Rodriguez, the Bison’s 8-14 record in 2011 was not indicative of their season or the team’s talent level.

“We lost two key players (Brian Muniz, Mario Amaral) playing in what was probably the most talented district in the state,” Rodriguez said. “We’re a much better team than 8-14, and you’ll see that this season.”

We got a little glimpse of what the Bison are capable of during an 11-6 fall campaign. That was good enough to earn the top seed in the season-ending bracket, but Reagan was eliminated in the first round.

“The main thing I’d say we have to work on is consistency, especially on the mound,” Rodriguez said. “The No. 1 question, for us I think is ‘who’s going to step up on the mound?’”

Rodriguez, who is in his fifth year as coach of the 6-year-old program, is optimistic of what’s to come.

“This is a young program, but I’ve seen it come a long way,” Rodriguez said. “I’m confident in this team and this program, and I believe we can go a long way.”

The Bison’s season starts Feb. 13 hosting TERRA Institute, then it heads to Archbishop Carroll Feb. 17.

Miami Beach Hi-Tides
Head Coach: Lewis Mart

2011 Record: 5-15

Key Returning Players: Kelvin Breto, Jonathan Repaul
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense

There’s something so far this season that makes it unique from the other 30 or so Miami Beach Hi-Tides coach Lewis Mart has skippered.

“I haven’t yelled once at practice,” Mart said. “This is a great group of kids, they got over a 3.5 GPA and are just a pleasure to coach.”

The Hi-Tides struggled much of last season, but coach Mart expects seniors Kelvin Breto (LF) and Jonathan Repaul to lead a program resurgence.

“Our outfield is very solid, very fast,” Mart said. “Our infield is much improved and Repaul is one of the best pitchers in the county. I don’t want to give too much away.”

Miami Beach opens its season at Goleman Feb. 21, then at Coral Gables Feb. 23 before the home opener against Reagan Feb. 29.

ALSO IN DISTRICT
Miami Springs Golden Hawks
Head Coach: Jason Morris

2011 Record: 15-8

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