The 2013 high school baseball season should be a memorable one.
Durant and Strawberry Crest are both coming off above .500 seasons, while Plant City ushers in a new era under head coach Mike Fryrear.
There’s plenty of talent to go around, as well, with this crop of area teams, most notably Durant pitcher and third baseman Tyler Danish, a University of Florida commit and a projected first- or second-round MLB draft pick.
DURANT
Coach: Butch Valdes
Year at school: Eighth; fifth as head coach
2012 record: 16-10
District record: 5-5 in 8A District 7
Top returning players: RHP/INF Tyler Danish (Sr.); RHP/OF Luke Heyer (Jr.); LHP/1B Chaz Fowler (Sr.); OF Paxton Sims (Jr.)
Outlook: There’s no doubting that Danish will be the ace of the Cougars’ staff this season. Already committed to Florida, Danish can throw in the low 90s consistently and possesses good off-speed pitches.
Danish will replace Trey Oest (0.48 ERA), now at the University of Virginia. Durant will also have to replace catcher John Coglianese.
In addition to Danish, the Cougars will return Fowler, who logged 31.1 innings in 2012 with a 1.56 ERA in 14 appearances.
Heyer had a breakout sophomore campaign last season at the plate, hitting .384 with eight RBIs and seven runs scored.
“Our goal this year is a state title,” says Valdes, who has guided the Cougars to the regionals three out of the four years as head coach. “Keys to do that include execution and team chemistry.”
PLANT CITY
Coach: Mike Fryrear
Year at school: First year
2012 record: 12-14
District record: 4-6 in 7A District 8
Top returning players: RHP/3B Kevin Long (Sr.); 2B/INF Sergio Garcia (Sr.); LHP/RF Nick Rodriguez (Sr.); CF/RHP Mike Wells (Jr.); UTL Zach Mondoux (Jr.)
Outlook: Fryrear was hired last summer and wasted no time bettering the program at PCHS. On top of getting the field and facilities in top-notch conditions, Fryrear has brought a hard-working and prideful attitude to the program, with the goal of creating an “all-around program,” both in the classroom and on the field.
“Our team motto this year is ‘yet?’” Fryrear says. “What have we done yet as a program, community and a teammate in the baseball program? Our goal is simple: Represent our family, school and community with being accountable, prideful and acting professionally and as young men.”
The Raiders have plenty of talent returning, including Long, who hit .438 as a junior. Garcia will hit in the two hole or in the middle of the order, according to Fryrear, while Rodriguez will be a leader on the team as captain. Wells and Mondoux are two athletic and versatile players who will also be keys for success.
STRAWBERRY CREST
Coach: Eric Beattie
Year at school: Fourth year
2012 record: 14-10
District record: 5-5 in 6A District 11
Top returning players: RHP/1B Tanner Thompson (Sr.); RHP Ben Welch (Jr.); OF Flabio Garcia (Jr.); 2B Nick Brocato (Sr.)
Outlook: The Chargers enter their fourth year under Beattie after their first winning season in program history.
SCHS lost of handful of pitchers to graduation, including All-County selection Matthew Lemons (1.52 ERA, .333 BA) and will be without 2012 leading hitters Jose Molina (.377) and Jordan Fameree (.318).
Thompson and Welch will likely fill those key spots lost on the mound, while Beattie expects Garcia and Brocato to also have strong seasons.
For Beattie, the key to success will be staying healthy and focusing on the process.
“If we focus on the process, good results will follow,” he says. “That covers pitching, defense, offense and a good mental approach.”