Florida Christian Gears Up For Another State Run

During their free time on the weekends, the Florida Christian Patriots players enjoy coming together to go on fishing trips. The group heads out to go deep sea saltwater fishing for big catches like tarpon or snook. Those trips build lifetime memories and help develop a camaraderie that will translate to the baseball field when the team starts the season.

After a heartbreaking loss in the state playoffs last year, the Patriots will look to reel in the school’s third state championship in school history in 2014.

“Every year we get a little closer to states, its one step at a time,” said senior catcher and St. Thomas University signee Jack Diaz. “This year we have a solid team with a solid foundation pitching-wise, defensively, and hitting.”

Florida Christian lost a tough 1-0 game to Melbourne Central Catholic in the Class 3A state semifinals last season. The Patriots played perhaps their best game of the season that game, but things just didn’t go in their favor. Instead it was the Hustlers who went on to win the 3A state title.

“They made every play. Every tough play, they made it. It hurts, but that’s baseball,” Manager Chris Brigman said after the game.

Their road to Fort Myers doesn’t get any easier this season. The Patriots moved up to Class 4A and they will compete in one of the most competitive districts in Miami-Dade County, and potentially all of South Florida. The teams in District 15-4A include LaSalle, Mater Lakes, Monsignor Pace, St. Brendan and Booker T. Washington. Five out of the six teams were district champions last season, but only the top four seeds will clinch a district playoff berth.

“I think it is the probably the toughest district in South Florida,” Brigman said. “You’re talking about five teams that were district champions from a year ago, and we’re playing each other twice and every game is going to be a big game. I think we’re capable of winning it but its going to be a challenge. It’s probably going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes, who can bunt guys over, and who can play error-free.”

A big part of the Patriots success will also depend on their pitching staff. The team graduated nine seniors from last season, and five of them were pitchers. The two biggest losses were UNC-Greensboro signee Andrew George (4-1, 32.2 IP, 2.14 ERA 39 K) and LSU signee Christian Pelaez, who went the distance on 125 pitches in the Patriots last game. Brigman believes he has the arms that are ready to step up and deliver on the mound this time around.

According to Brigman, it starts on the mound with Michael Campos and Alex Valverde. Campos, the right handed power pitcher, has signed on to play at Florida Atlantic after tossing 41 strikeouts in just under 30 innings as a junior. The junior Valverde finished 6-1 and pitched 46 innings, recording 53 strikeouts with a 3.02 ERA. Senior lefties Alex Nodarse and Javier Naranjo, along with righties Frank Chacon, Jonathan Cerra and St. Thomas University signee Anthony Lopez will bolster the depth on the pitching staff.

The players have confidence in their staff, particularly in their main starters.

“Campos is a good power pitcher, throws hard and has good movement,” said senior left fielder Chris Gandara. “Valverde in my opinion is the best junior pitcher in Miami-Dade county. He’s a hard-throwing righty with a good curveball, and those guys will be our one-two pitchers.”

At the plate, Florida Christian will look to score more runs with key players returning to the lineup. Diaz will start behind the plate after playing at first base last season. Sophomore center fielder Ruben Someilan looks to build off his impressive freshman campaign, where he hit .309 with 20 runs and 12 RBI. Senior infielder Michael Fernandez returns after leading the team in RBI with 26 and senior North Carolina A&T signee Erik Montero led the Patriots with four home runs last season. Gulliver Prep transfer Brandon Chinea (.429) will also contribute for Florida Christian this season.

“Most of our core is back from last year and we’re going to start a lot of guys that have experience,” Brigman said. “I think its huge for guys to have that continuity together since some of them have been playing together since middle school, and most of them have played together on the junior varsity.”

With four players already signed to play college baseball and a few more still undecided, Brigman has put an emphasis on helping his players get in school. He says high school coaches take as much in sending their players to college as they do winning games.”

“I think most high school coaches would agree, you know, that’s why we do this is to see guys go on and play at the next level,” Brigman said.

The Patriots will also unveil a new jersey combination for the upcoming season. Florida Christian has become the Oregon of Miami high school baseball with its tradition of wearing multiple different uniform combinations. They have so many different looks that its hard to keep track of how many they have in all.

“Oh my goodness,” says Brigman as he thinks back. “It should be six different tops, four different pants, and five different hats, so we’re going to be able to mix it up pretty good. We’re going to look like the old Houston Astros with the different shades of navy stripes, so we’re excited about that one and we can’t wait to put it on, That’s been something that’s been a tradition as long as I’ve been here.”

Its a tradition that never gets old for the players.

“Oh my gosh they go nuts when the stuff comes in, its like Christmas around here,” Brigman said.

The Patriots look to make another run at a state title with their combination of experience, solid pitching, and ability to come up with timely hits in big games.

Leave a comment using your facebook account!