Sunday night’s Hillsborough County All-Star Game should be a good one: It will pit many of Hillsborough’s best seniors against a group from Pinellas County, and the action will start at 7 p.m. at Tropicana Field, in St. Petersburg. The boys will get big-league treatment, even appearing on the jumbotron before their at-bats.
Coaches from around the county named Plant City’s Mike Fryrear the man for the head coaching job, and he, his staff, and his players are just about ready to go make some noise under the dome lights.
FRYREAR AND CATES
Although the Raiders didn’t have their best season this year, Fryrear is pleased the area coaches gave him their vote of confidence to lead this team. It won’t be his first All-Star appearance, but it will be his first time coaching one.
“They gave me the tedious task, and they warned me — it is very tedious,” Fryrear says. “It’s a very big honor, though, to represent PCHS and this community.”
After linking up with his pitching coach, Gary Cates (who will be one of Fryrear’s assistant coaches on Sunday), he found out just how tedious it was going to be: weeks of statistical research and speaking with other schools’ athletic departments.
“We went school-by-school,” Fryrear says. “I wrote nice letters to coaches and athletic directors, like, ‘Hey, please send me your nominations.’ We also knew about some guys already and took them into consideration. We broke it down into stats, and if they’re
signed (with a college) or not signed and by their playing ability. Then, we made phone calls.”
The FACA All-Star Game, scheduled for the same day, snagged three of Hillsborough’s players away before they could commit to Fryrear’s team, but the final lineup is still solid.
GARRETT WRIGHT AND PAXTON SIMS
The best team in the Plant City area will send the most players of the three schools to the All-Star Game. Garrett Wright and Paxton Sims — both Plant City Times & Observer Athlete of the Week selections — will help shore up the outfield and infield, respectively.
“Garrett Wright is your ideal center fielder,” Cougars head coach Butch Valdes says. “He came in and did a great job for us. Batted over .400, (is as) fast as can be. Smart guy, Team player. One of the leaders on the team. It was a well-deserved honor.”
Wright’s .418 average led the team, as did his 33 hits. Statistically, he played his best game against Middleton on March 22 — when he went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run and a double. A few months ago, Wright committed to play for College of Central Florida.
While Wright was consistent throughout the season, Sims had to overcome a slow start to get rolling.
“Paxton didn’t start real strong early in the season, but his spirit never fell,” Valdes says. “He picked it up and ended up being one of our leaders, batting over .350. His character and leadership skills speak volumes.”
After going hitless on March 18, Sims got at least one hit in 14 of the final 15 regular-season games. He was extra clutch in March 28’s 13-6 win over East Bay, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, three runs and two doubles to help lead the team.
Sims’ 23 runs scored and eight doubles led all Cougars.
AUSTIN BOATRIGHT
Ask any baseball coach to write a wish list for their team, and “reliable pitcher” will always be at or near the top.
Strawberry Crest head coach Eric Beattie believes he has one of those guys in Austin Boatright.
“Austin is one of the best competitors I’ve ever coached,” Beattie says. “He’s not the most talented guy, but he’s such a competitor. He always makes the good pitch when you need it, and he keeps you in the game — every single game.”
Boatright was one of only two senior pitchers for the Chargers, but he led the team to more wins (seven) than anyone else on the pitching staff. Notably, he was also a big part of the Chargers’ season sweep of the district champion Cougars.
His best performance in 2014 came in a 5-4 win over Durant on Feb. 28, in which the senior threw 6.2 innings of four-hit ball — without giving up any earned runs. Just over a month later, on April 1, he led the Chargers to a 10-2 win over the Cougars, this time giving up five hits and one earned run.
“Any time he’s going to be our starting pitcher, you know that you’re going to have a chance to win,” Beattie says. “As a coach, that’s a great feeling to have.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
WHO’S ON FIRST?
Pitchers: Austin Boatright (Strawberry Crest), Shane Haight (Sickles), Ryan Anderson (Brandon), Dante Bosanic (Berkeley Prep), Angel Morales (Riverview), Matt Vaka (Plant), Tyeler Checkley (King), Tristan DeLuna (Wharton)
Catchers: Jose Lopez (King), Ryan McCullers (Jesuit), Jack Syron (Carrollwood Day), Jesus Vega (Hillsborough)
Infielders: Paxton Sims (Durant), Cole Gordon (Steinbrenner), Randy Oliva (Gaither), Austin Sullivan (Brandon), Kevin Merrell (Steinbrenner), Paulie Russo (Tampa Catholic), Isaiah Arroyo (Tampa Bay Tech), Jonathan Alvarez (Leto), Allan Radice (Chamberlain), Jose Cuellar (Jefferson)
Outfielders: Garrett Wright (Durant), Tyler Tyson (Gaither), Kyle Barber (Tampa Catholic), Alex Hanson (Steinbrenner), Bubby Terp (King)
Utility: Devin Cerrato (Newsome)
Coaches: Mike Fryrear (Plant City), Gary Cates (Plant City), Kennedy Duran (Lennard)