District 3A-15 Preview: All Eyes On Mater

Mater Lakes Academy went 6-0 in district play last season, but with the target on its back this season, District 3A-15 may see a new champion.

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

ARCHBISHOP CURLEY KNIGHTS
2012 Record: 6-16-1
Head Coach: Jerry Yeash
Key Returners: Nick Salow (Sr.), Tony Yeash (Sr.), Ezequiel Araujo (Sr.), Jose Gomez (Jr.), Danny Diaz (Jr.).
Newcomers to Watch: Jethro Galeano (Sr.), Jordi Herrera (Fr.), Karin Joseph (Fr.)
Team Strengths: The leadership of four-year starters Nick Salow, Tony Yeash and Ezequiel Araujo
Team Weaknesses: Inexperience
Something people not around your program need to know about your team….

“I have had one of my sons on the team for eight of the past nine
years.”

Manager Jerry Yeash enters his 32nd year as the head coach of Archbishop Curley this year.

Yeash, who still takes the time to teach the basics to his players, is ready for another run this year.

The Knights, who went 6-16-1 last season, bring back seven seniors and three four year starters.

Yeash is going to depend on them to guide his team through the season.

“We’re going to have to rely on them this season.” Yeash said.

Yeash and the Knights also will be playing many first-year starters, something he expects will help his team later on in the season.

“We have a lot of kids that have never played ball until they got to high school, but yet every year we compete,” Yeash said.

DADE CHRISTIAN CRUSADERS
2012 Record: 6-19
Head Coach: Reggie Rodriguez
Key Returners: Anthony Munoz, Connor Morris, Anthony Martel, Xander Garcia, David Seijo
Newcomers to Watch: Nick Haber, Luis Reyes, Robert Delavega
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, speed
Team Weaknesses: Lack of depth coming from the bench
Our season will be a success if….

“…if we execute the small game, as far as moving runners over and getting the bunt down. We also must play solid defense.”

Manager Reggie Rodriguez is walking into his first season as the head coach of Dade Christian and is ready to turn the Crusaders around.

Rodriguez is prepared to start the new season with a new look for the Crusaders, starting with a new fresh haircut. Dade Christian ended last season with a 6-19 record and went 2-4 in the district, but Rodriguez and his staff have the Spartans looking like contenders.

“We’re going to be strong this year,” Rodriguez said. “We have three solid pitchers that are going to be key for us so as long as our defense holds up we should go far.”

The Crusaders will have to overcome a shallow bench, which lacks experience. Rodriguez will have four ninth-graders and one eighth-grader on the team. With the majority of the team being juniors, Rodriguez will need those players to lead his adolescent team.

“We’re going to rely on those juniors to stand out,” Rodriguez said. “They’re working very hard. The best about this team is that all these guy work hard, and they want to win a lot more games than last year.”

MATER LAKES ACADEMY BEARS
2012 Record: 20-9
Head Coach: Cesar Temes
Key Returners: Alffredi Ramos, Vicente Amor, Alessandro Lima, Anthony Rondon, George Gonzalez, Peter Lerena, Kendrick Maqueira, Jordan Cox
Newcomers to Watch: Alex Lorenzo, Jonathan Flores, Jonathan Lorenzo, Eddie Salomon, Christian Nelson, Carlos Rodriguez
Team Strengths: 14 seniors, power, speed
Team Weaknesses: Preseason injuries
Something people not around your program need to know about your team….

“Our team chemistry is great every year. We are a small school, and that gives us a family atmosphere all the time.”

The Bears emerged as one of the premier teams in Miami-Dade County last year after a 20-win season. Manager Cesar Temes looks to build on that with a deep senior class leading the way for another run at the district championship.

“We’re a confident team,” Temes said. “We have a lot of depth, and we’re a big team that plays like it.”

Mater Lakes may be one of the most experienced teams in South Florida with 14 seniors. Catchers Alfreddi Ramos and Vincente Amor look to lead the Bears again this season.

“They’re our two big boys, and they carried us last year as juniors,” Temes said. “They have a lot of power, and they’re strong”.

The Bears have high hopes this season after winning the district and making it all the way to the second round of regionals last season.

“Every year we expect to improve,” Temes said. “Last season, we were two games away from going to states, a lot of these guys have already seen it, so we feel experienced, too.

MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SPARTANS
2012 Record: 11-11
Head Coach: Paul Barrios
Key Returners: Michael Fente, Thomas Rodriguez, Adam Seif
Carter Weiss, Steven Soriano
Newcomers to Watch: Juztin Gross, Greg Rivetz, Garrett Kramer, Jose Oronoz, Austin Pollak
Team Strengths: Defense
Team Weaknesses: Young, unproven pitching staff
Our season will be a success if….

“…our young pitching staff can improve during the season.”

Manager Paul Barrios and the Spartans are looking forward to starting the season and building off an 11-11 record (3-3 in the district) last year. The Spartans feel certain they can play with the best and are preparing to battle every team they face.

The Spartans will be fielding a new team after graduating seven starters last season. Miami Country Day will be tackling the 2013 season with much youth at every postion, Barrios even will be playing two seventh-graders he feels may give his team some help.

“Here we’re going to build them,” Barrios said. “We have some great young athletes here, so our future looks good. This is all about these young guys.”

Barrios, in his second season at Miami Country Day, has been able to surrond his young ball club with an experienced coaching staff.

“I have a great coaching staff,” Barrios said. “I’ve got a bunch of guys here that really know the game and will help out these younger guys.”

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