District 2A-15 Preview: Westwood Eyes State Return

Westwood Christian went to state last year, so the Warriors will be hoping for no less than that this year.

Miami Brito hopes to have a little something to say about that with its own tough squad.

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

MIAMI BRITO PANTHERS
2012 Record: 11-12
Head Coach: Pedro Guerra
Key Returners: Richie Sotolongo, Juan Carlos Milan, Edgar Dominguez, Ernie Blanco, Marco Vilanos
Newcomers to Watch: Savian Fernandez, Luis Forte
Team Strengths: Talent, pitching depth, defense, speed
Our season will be a success if….

“…We make it to the state championship.”

Brito has a lot of talent and the makings to have a great ball club. They have a solid pitching staff and team speed, Mananger Pedro Guerra said. Of the teams in this district, Brito is considered one of the teams to beat. They have most of the team returning, making them one of the most experienced teams in the district.

That experience comes from ace pitcher Richie Sotolongo, who has a firm fastball and solid offspeed. Second basemen transfer Savian Fernandez and pitcher Luis Forte are also expect to make significant contributions to the Panthers.

Guerra feels that his team is more mature and unified, like a family. Other positive indicators is the overall work ethic, hustle and team speed that the players have shown in the early going of practices. Guerra said that the pitching staff has a lot of depth and will be very strong.

This experience will be critical to their success as they battle their young blooded competitors.

MIAMI CHRISTIAN VICTORS
2012 Record: 12-13
Head Coach: Christian Cuadra
Key Returners: Lazaro Gonzalez, Dominic Diaz, David Lopez
Team Strengths: Hitting, talent
Our season will be a success if…

“…pitching and defense show up.”

Manager Christian Cuadra aims to bring Miami Christian baseball back to “what it used to be and play competitive ball.” He hopes the team will be around .500 winning percentage and hustle every play.

This won’t be an easy task for the Victors as their roster is made up of mostly of freshman and sophomores who have never played at the varsity level. Cuadra will use this season to get his team some varsity experience and build for the future.

Indeed, they have a lot of talent to build upon. Lazaro Gonzalez, catcher transfer from Westwood Christian, shows pop and is strong defensively. Cuadra said he “should be best catcher in the district.” David Lopez is one of the big boppers in the lineup and will help the Victors drive in some runs.

Although this team is young and has just begun to develop, it shows great talent and hard work ethic. It will strive to do the little things right, which should make it the team to look at in the next few seasons.

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN WARRIORS
2012 Record: 18-6
Head Coach: Luis Padron
Key Returners: Danny Garcia, Anthony Pena
Newcomers to Watch: Jason Gutierrez, Luis Diaz, Andy Rivera
Team Strengths: Pitching, hitting
Our season will be a success if….

“…we win districts and move on to regionals.”

Expectations for Westwood Christian are the same as every year, according to Head Coach Luis Padron, for “every kid to go to college and play fundamental baseball and have fun while doing it.” Despite there lost at states last year, we can safely say that this team will be the one to watch in this district.

Padron doesn’t let the team get caught up in competition but reinforces focus and playing game by game, 90 feet at a time.

“We are our worst enemy, only one who can beat us is ourselves,” Padron said.

Although the Warriors may be the only obstacle standing in their way, they are also their biggest asset. The Warriors will depend on senior lefty Danny Garcia, whose ERA was 2.45 with 77 strikeouts last year, to dominate the mound. Garcia has draft potential and has made a commitment to the University of Miami. Jason Gutierrez, a right-handed pitcher, who transferred from Miami Christian, has a solid arm and has good offspeed pitches. They will also count on their hitters second basemen Jose Suarez, who hit .383 with 29 RBIs last season, and third basemen Anthony Pena, who hit .477 with four home runs, to drive in the runs they need.

Westwood also has a developing bullpen that can deepen their game. Andy Rivera, Ruben Quesada and Kenneth Prado will all have opportunities to grace the mound and bring new blood to the young team.

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