District 4A-14 Preview: Pace Eyes Return To State

Monsignor Pace’s goal of a state title fell two games short last year, but the Spartans are hoping for at least as much success this year.

First though, they have to get past district foes Archbishop Carroll and Miami Jackson.

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

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL BULLDOGS
2012 Record: 8-14
Head Coach: Jorge Gutierrez
Key Returners: Dean Garabedian, Danny Acevedo, William Roger, Michael Lobello
Newcomers to Watch: David Salgueiro, Amilcar Desacere
Team Strengths: Hitting and defense
Team Weaknesses: Lack of pitching
Something people not around your program need to know about your team…

” We have a very close group of guys that have bought into our system very well. They have seen changes and are very confident, something we have instilled in them as a coaching staff.”

MIAMI JACKSON GENERALS
2012 Record: 9-12
Head Coach: Julio Mendoza
Key Returners: Julio Martinez (Jr., RHP), Juan Nunez (Sr., RHP), Chris Espinosa (Sr., CF), Juan Patricio (Sr., 1B), Dariel Santana (So., DH)
Newcomers to Watch: Josheph Palomino (Jr., 2B), Bryan Rodriguez (Jr., LHP), Jomilson Alvarez (Sr., OF), Michelangelo Penas (So., SS), Ibrahim Silwany (Sr., LF)
Team Strengths: Pitching and team speed.
Our season will be a success if…

“…they play with heart and hustle.”

Before Manager Julio Mendoza had even walked into Miami Jackson to interview for the position, his new employers had all already decided that he would not be the guy to get the job.

At 21 years old, it was agreed that he was simply too young for such a responsibility.

But by the time Mendoza had finished his interview those same minds agreed that they absolutely had to hire him.

Certainly this young new coach is wise beyond his years, and being so close in age to his players it creates a unique dynamic that allows him to relate to their problems.

“These guys may talk to me about things they normally wouldn’t discuss with their coach,” Mendoza agreed. “It is a different tradition we are starting here at Jackson, and we are going to hit the ground running.”

While the Generals have struggled in recent years, no one can tell this group that they won’t be successful. Players are working hard, approaching practice with more vigor and attention than ever before, and affectionately referring to the practice field as a “Hard Hat Zone.” There is also plenty of reason for optimism with the amount of talent they bring to the field.

“We’re a scrappy team, and I want them to have a hard-nosed mentality,” Mendoza said. “I want them to stick to the right mindset, come into games mentally prepared and then leave it all on the field. We think we can win, so one through seven innings anything can happen. We have to make it exhausting for the other team.”

The Generals return almost no varsity experience this season, and the unproven young team will counter that with its speed and aggressiveness.

Junior right-hander Julio Martinez will anchor the pitching staff, relying on pinpoint accuracy and a crafty approach at the hitters. Fellow righty Juan Nunez compliments that with a heavy-ball approach and a strong fastball. The team also expects strong innings from junior lefty Bryan Rodriguez.

Leading the defense is returning center fielder Chris Espinosa, whom Mendoza refers to as the team sparkplug.

“I want the rest of the team to play the way he plays,” Mendoza said. “He is not afraid to get dirty and get after the ball.”

Fittingly, the Generals have a strong core of leaders in their three captains, seniors Juan Patricio, Jomilson Alvarez and Ibrahim Silwany.

“Juan Patricio is a true leader, and he will be the biggest reason why we are successful,” Mendoza said. “We are very fortunate with all three of our captains; they get these guys ready to play.”

Alvarez is a five-tool player with tons of potential, and the left-hander will also add to the team’s bullpen.

Jackson has also benefitted from some key transfers, as sophomore shortstop Michelangelo Penas comes over from Miami Springs and junior second baseman Josheph Palomino arrives from Miami High. Sophomore designated hitter Dariel Santana has also emerged as a valuable asset.

Mendoza’s coaching staff is a perfect addition to the team’s vision, consisting of pitching coach Roy Cao, Hitting Coach Darian Salazar and Defensive Coach Karl Bithorn Jr.

With a tough schedule and a short time to get prepared, the Generals face an uphill battle this season. But there is just something special about this group of players and this young, fiery new coach. Mendoza embraces this opportunity to begin his coaching legacy, and there is certainly the chance that many decades from now a more accomplished version of himself may look back and remember how he got such a start.

Hopefully such memories will also include some glory years for the Generals.

“Discipline and respect is what will turn this program around,” Mendoza said. “I plan on being here for a while. This is an A school and this team will be exciting. We want to start keeping our players who belong here, instead of watching them transfer somewhere else.”

MONSIGNOR PACE SPARTANS
2012 Record: 22-8
Head Coach: Tom Duffin
Key Returners: Manny Pazos (Sr., IF), Anthony De La Cruz (Sr., C), Jonathan Hernandez (Sr., LHP), Luis Deville (Sr., RHP), Alex Perez (Sr., RHP), David Palenzuela (Sr., 1B), Bryan Bermudez (Sr., SS), Brandon Gomez (Sr., OF), Andrew McCoy (Sr., OF)
Newcomers to Watch: Lorenzo Hampton (So., OF)
Team Strengths: Experience and pitching
Our season will be a success if…

“…they stay focused and approach it one game at a time.”

Even after 19 years, it is still a pleasure for Monsignor Pace manager Tom Duffin to come to work everyday.

It is a special program that he has helped build at Pace, a fraternity heaped full of tradition and success. Just last season the team qualified for the state tournament, and every year the team is in contention to bring home another championship.

“I enjoy what I do, to see new kids every year and the new personalities,” Duffin said. “It challenges me to keep going. But what I like most of all is that this is the best time to play for fun, for the love of the game.”

The Spartans fraternity is a thing of great pride, and Duffin is always hopeful that his veteran players will set the right kind of example for the younger players to ensure that this tradition will continue to carry on. This legacy also incorporates the coaching staff, all of whom are former Spartans players themselves. This group includes Chuck Lyman, Chris Roque, Gaby De la Vega, Fausto Tejero, Rolando Nunez and David Hernandez.

“I strongly believe we are what we are because we’re surrounded with such good people,” Duffin admitted. “These guys bring such energy to the program and the kids feed off of it. It’s a nice feeling.”

Duffin knows the key to returning to state will come in hard work that challenges the players to get better everyday. He is hopeful his team can steadily improve and then peak at the right moment at the end of the year. But his confidence also comes in knowing that he has a very talented and capable group of players.

Eight of the team’s starters have committed to college programs, seven starters return from last season, and the team has three strong arms in the rotation that will give them a great chance to stay in every game.

Rounding out the front end of the team’s rotation will be the one-two punch of right-hander Alex Perez, who has committed to St. Thomas University, and lefty Jonathan Hernandez (Barry University). Fellow Barry commit Luis Deville will fill the closer role.

Infielder Manny Pazos (Pittsburgh), first baseman David Palenzuela (Miami Dade) and shortstop Bryan Bermudez (St. Thomas University) lead a strong infield defense. Pazos will also split time behind the plate with fellow senior Anthony De La Cruz.

The outfield defense is a speedy unit led by FIU-signee Brandon Gomez and Florida Southern commit Andrew McCoy, while sophomore newcomer Lorenzo Hampton has earned the third outfielder’s role.

“As a coach I am never satisfied,” Duffin admitted. “But the kids have been working hard. We’ve got a lot of experience, even if we don’t have our usual depth. After last year I do want them to have a sour taste in their mouths, because I want them to have that desire. It is also good that they have some pressure off of them because now they have been through the fire before.”

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