Top Ten Teams
1. Trinity Christian (24-8)
Since 1989, the history of the Trinity Christian program can be summed up into one word: potential. Trinity has always had the potential to be up there with the likes of Bolles, Bishop Kenny, University Christian, and Providence; the school just hasn’t been able to take that next step – until now.
Over the last 25 years, Trinity had made 13 playoff appearances, three Final Fours (1989, 2000, 2003), and its biggest claim to fame was a 2000 state runner-up finish.
A collection of the right coach and talent propelled Trinity to put together its longest playoff run since 2003, capped off with their first state title last season. In the process, they became just the third program in the area to win both baseball and football state titles in the same season, joining Bolles and University Christian.
Now comes the hard part: trying to repeat.
That starts with new role players, sophomore pitcher Troy Jackson (4-0, 3 saves, 2.02 ERA, 19K/six walks, three saves), junior pitcher Chad Ragland (10 appearances, three saves), senior utility player Logan Nugent (.333 with 17 RBI, four DB, nine SB), and senior third baseman Parker Aman (.161, seven RBI, one DB), senior catcher Angel Acosta (.229, one DB, two RBI), KC Isenberg (.333), sophomore infielder Tyler Isenberg (.250), senior Keith Ragburn (.667, three RBI), senior pitcher Billy Cobb, and junior pitcher Dalton Terrell (0-1, five appearances).
The nucleus of the team comes from the five guys who have already committed or signed with college programs: junior infielder and JU commit Austin Martin (.402, 11 RBI, eight DB, three TP, nine SB), junior pitcher and UNF commit A.J. Labas (2-2, three saves, 2.14 ERA, 12 appearances, 30Ks/eight walks), senior pitcher and Kentucky signee JC Flowers (1-2, 6.10 ERA, four saves, 16 pickoffs, .222, seven RBI, six DB), senior first baseman and Lander signee Jeff Fripp (.241, 23 RBI, six DB, five HR) and senior second baseman Colton Yeager (Sr., 2B) .375, three RBI, one TP, 13 SB (signed with Lander).
Expect the Conquerors back in Fort Myers again, competing for their second straight title.
2. Bolles (20-10)
When visiting opponents step on the diamond and head to the outfield, they are quickly reminded of the rich Bolles baseball history. Along the outfield fence and scoreboard hang the proudly displayed signs, reminding teams of the state titles the Bulldogs have brought home over the last 30 years.
Bolles has been dominant for a long time, with six state titles (1983, 1989, 1991, 2002, 2009, 2010) to go along with its three state runner-up finishes. However, it’s been six years since the Bulldogs last advanced to the Final Four and also brought home a trophy; they last won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
For most programs, that’s not a big deal, but at Bolles, that seems like an eternity. Last year, the Bulldogs were district runner-ups and lost to district champion Trinity in the second round of the playoffs.
Can the Bulldogs make another long playoff run and advance to their 20th Final Four? Among the returnees are senior outfielder Bryce Newman (.346, 28 runs, 0 errors, 15 stolen bases), senior infielder Ty Smith (.308, 15 RBI, 3 DB, one HR, three appearances, one save), junior pitcher and North Carolina commit Clemente Inclan (.329, four DB), senior pitcher Hamp Skinner (.206, 2 DB, 5-2, 2.03 ERA, 12 appearances, one save, 42 K/22 W) and freshman pitcher and Virginia commit Hunter Barco (3-1, 2.12 ERA, 13 appearances, one save, 40 K/16 W).
Bolles was dealt a big blow when senior pitcher Ryan Fultz (5-4, 2.58 ERA, 84 K/34 W, 13 appearances, .282, two HR, 22 RBI), had to undergo Tommy John surgery August 26 (he will not pitch this season); however, Fultz has confirmed he will still bat and play this season, saving his arm to enroll early at Troy.
“I think that Hunter Barco and Hamp Skinner will really step up on the mound, they’ve both pitched in big games before and can handle the pressure,” Fultz says. “Clemente, who is a UNC commit, will be a huge bat for us this year along with me at the plate. With me not pitching this year because of TJS, it will give me time to focus on hitting.”
3. Bartram Trail (24-7-1)
The odds of Bartram Trail making another playoff run like last season are well against them, but the Bears like being the underdogs.
Five core seniors graduated from last season’s state runner-up finish, meaning someone else will have to step up and assume their roles.
Among the possibilities are senior outfielder and UNF commit Tanner Murphy (.333, 13 RBIs, 23 runs, 19 SB), senior pitcher Tanner Ruskin (0-0, 2.62 ERA, six appearances), senior pitcher Jarred Davenport (6-2, 1.05 ERA, nine appearances), senior utility player Brett Bars (0-0, 2.62 ERA, six appearances) and senior utility player Tyler Emmett (.273, three RBI, 1-0, 1.56 ERA, five appearances).
To go along with senior outfielder Jacob Lovelace (.194, five RBI), senior pitcher Blake Bodin (3-0, 0.86 ERA, five appearances, 18 K, five W), senior utility player Brady Breedlove (243, three RBI), senior utility Conner Miller (.308, five RBI), senior outfielder Blake Marabell (.253, 16 RBI, five DB, two TP, one HR) and senior first baseman Jared Nourse (.269, seven RBI, two DB, one HR).
Don’t be surprised to see the Bears back in Fort Myers playing for a state title again.
4. Creekside (23-6)
Since opening in 2008, Creekside has quickly moved up the ladder and built its program into not only a St. Johns County power, but a consistent statewide power as well.
In seven years, the Knights have made five playoff appearances, including two Final Four appearances in 2013 and 2014.
Last year, only archrival Bartram Trail prevented the Knights from going back to their third Final Four with a loss in the second round of the playoffs.
With starters, senior pitcher Mitch Campion (10-1, 0.83 ERA, 77 Ks), senior infielder Kyle Nuckols (.415, 11 RBI), senior outfielder Blake Morgan, and senior first baseman Tyler Waters returning, expect the Knights to make another long playoff run again.
5. Providence (19-10)
Opened in 1997, it didn’t take long for Providence to quickly establish itself as a state baseball power.
In year two, Scott Hennessey had the Stallions in the playoffs; by year four he had them advancing to the third round. A year later, in 2002, Billy Bell took over, taking the program to its first Final Four, and in just its sixth year of existence, in 2003, he led the Stallions to their first state championship.
Now under Mac Macklewitz, the Stallions’ program continues to compete for state titles, winning two more in 2008 and 2012, along with a state runner-up finish in 2009. Last season, the Stallions narrowly missed another Final Four berth, falling to NFC in the Elite Eight.
Do sophomore infielder Alex Sanchez (.427, five HR, 24 RBIs, 20 SB) an FSU commit, freshman third baseman Tyler Callihan, sophomore Jake Morrow, senior Kirklin Welch, and junior Seth Walker have the ability to lead the Stallions to their fourth state title and the school’s seventh Final Four appearance?
6. Atlantic Coast (19-7)
Despite being a fairly young program, Joel Davis, who guided the Rays to the school’s first playoff appearance in 2013, may have his best team thus far this coming season, with 12 of the 19 wins back on the mound.
Among the many returning players are senior pitcher D.J. Roberts (7-3, 99 Ks, .338 average, 16 RBI, six DB), junior shortstop Jason Swan (.423, nine SB, 23 runs) an FIU commit, junior infielder Noah Searcy (.286, 11 RBI, two DB, one TP, one HR), senior pitcher Kyal Pritt (1-1, 2.42 ERA, 11 appearances), junior pitcher Tommy Ben (1-0, 4.45 ERA, five appearances) and sophomore Jared Cox (1-0, 0.78 ERA, four appearances).
The Rays nearly made the playoffs last year, falling in the district semifinals to Fleming Island. Expect a playoff run this season.
7. Keystone Heights (20-9)
Over the last 35 years, the Indians have been one of the most consistent programs in the area, with 22 playoff appearances in that span, 14 of those under longtime coach Alan Mattox.
Mattox guided the Indians to their first playoff berth in four years last season, taking them to the Elite Eight before a loss to South Sumter kept them from advancing to the program’s sixth Final Four.
With a senior-heavy team last season, it might take a while for the Indians to jell early on, but come playoff time expect them in the hunt again thanks to returning players, junior catcher Gage Hall (.346, 9 DB, 17 RBI, one HR), junior pitcher Pierson Lewis (.250), senior pitcher Wyatt Harvin (.238), junior infielder Tyler Keaton (.267), senior infielder Jarrett Fowler, and junior infielder Tyler Ricketts (.263).
8. Clay (16-11)
Longtime coach Robbie Thompson retired after nearly 25 years of coaching at Clay. He helped the Blue Devils reach two Final Fours in two of his final three seasons, including a state runner-up finish in his final year.
Thompson handed the keys to longtime assistant coach and former Clay player Josh Persinger, who also played for Thompson. In his first season, Persinger kept the mojo going, winning a district title in his inaugural season and guiding them into the second round of the playoffs before falling to Baker County at home.
What is in store for his second year might lie in the hands of seniors Holden Alexander (3B/P), Cole Escher (P), Austin Burke, Glenn Lopez, and Harold Burke, as well as junior Kevin Jackson.
9. Oakleaf (16-13)
Barely two months into the season, Oakleaf was sitting at 9-9, coming off back-to-back losses to Sandalwood and Creekside, and unsure which direction they were headed the rest of the season. The beauty of high school sports is, it truly is not how you start, but how you finish.
The Knights upset district rival Columbia five days after the Creekside loss and carried that momentum into the district tournament, where they fell to Columbia again in the district title game. Going on the road and getting away from all the distractions at home, the Knights knocked off Pace 1-0 in 13 innings, followed by a 7-1 win over host Columbia in the second round to advance to the Elite Eight against Bartram Trail, where they fell 3-1 to cap the best season in school history.
The senior heavy team last year lost nine seniors to graduation, so getting back to the playoffs and making another deep run will be a challenge for head coach Chris Lannom. Senior pitcher Will Pillsbury (.344, nine RBI, three DB) is back and will have to carry the team, while young guys like sophomore infielder Isaiah Byars, an FIU commit, will also have to step up and help carry the load.
10. Bishop Kenny (16-11-1)
Next to Bolles, for years, there wasn’t a better private school program in the area than Bishop Kenny. Under Clay Gooch, Pat McMahon, legendary coach and athletic director Bob West, and current head coach Tommy Edwards, the Crusaders advanced to 12 Final Fours, won two state titles (2002, 2008) and finished state runner-ups five times (1978, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2006).
At a school like BK, there are a lot of high expectations to compete for state titles every year. Since winning the 2008 state title, BK hasn’t been back to the Final Four and has only been past the second round of the playoffs but once, while also seeing its streak of 16 consecutive playoff appearances end two years ago.
Edwards guided the Crusaders back into the playoffs last season; however, the team was quickly eliminated in the first round by Clay. Can the Crusaders right the ship and make another long playoff run? Senior outfielder Donny Gleneski (.215, 18 RBI, three DB, one TP, one HR), sophomore outfielder Rickey Hartless (.233, 12 RBI, five DB, two TP), senior infielder Walter Chandler (.286, six RBI, one TP), senior pitcher Patrick Wright (2-0, 1.75 ERA, five appearances) and junior pitcher Conner Gonzalez (1-1, 5.35 ERA, nine appearances) look to change recent history.
Honorable Mention (Alphabetical Order)
Baker County (16-12)
The record may have not been that impressive, but the Wildcats were one run and one inning away from advancing to the Final Four. The Wildcats rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game at 3-3 in the second, where the score remained deadlocked until state power Mosley tacked on four runs to advance to their second straight Final Four and eventual state runner-up finish.
Baker, which won 20 games two years ago, is coming off its first Regional Final berth since 1996. For the Wildcats to get back, they will need big contributions from senior infielder and pitcher Dylan Hall, as well as role players Andrew Diehard, Hunter Riggs, Justin Waddell, and Corey Smith.
Englewood (13-15)
In the 1990s, the three most dominant programs in the city were Parker, Wolfson, and Englewood. After several trips to the Elite Eight, the Rams finally were able to bring home the school’s first and only state title back in 1999, thanks to future MLB players Ryan Freel, Brett Myers, and Daniel Murphy.
Since 2006, the program took a dive and hit rock bottom for nearly a decade until current coach Marcus Miller took over. Under Miller, the Rams have made back-to-back playoff appearances and won their first district title since 1998.
Can the Rams make it three in a row? Seniors Mason Williams, KJ Jefferson, Daysean Freeman, Dustin Williams, and Justin Griffis, as well as juniors Jostin Carmona and Manny Guerra, will look to lead the Rams back.
Fleming Island (16-10)
Since 2005, Fleming Island has been a consistent playoff contender, making the playoffs eight of the last 10 years. The program, started by longtime legendary coach Don Suriano, was turned over recently to one of his former players, Jeremiah Klosterman.
Under Klosterman, the Eagles have made the playoffs three years in a row, yet are still seeking their first playoff win since a third-round run four years ago.
The Eagles will be led by senior infielder Tanner Thomas (.329, 16 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples, three HRs) as well as seniors Corey Duhon, Will Sarsen, Chris Hawkins, Jordan Imperial, Matt Whetstone, Gage Chancey, and Zach Blankenship. Juniors Cory Solomon and Billy Schopp, along with sophomore Calab Lanou, will also be expected to contribute.
Mandarin (17-9)
The area around the Mandarin community is home to some of the best amateur youth baseball programs in the state and country, such as San Jose Athletic Association and Mandarin Athletic Association. Unfortunately, that hasn’t translated well to the high school level.
That’s not to say Mandarin hasn’t had their share of success, the Mustangs have made the playoffs 10 out of 25 years they have existed; they have just lacked the long state title runs we have all expected.
Five years ago the Mustangs advanced to the Elite Eight, but since then, the Mustangs have fallen in the first round three straight times. Can they make a run this year?
Middleburg (13-13)
Over the years, Middleburg has always been an up-and-coming program, with 11 playoff appearances over the last 30 years. Two years ago, the Broncos made one of their greatest playoff runs in school history before stumbling in the Elite Eight against state power Mosley.
If there is another run in the Broncos this season, it will come from the play of a pair of key seniors: pitcher Troy Murphy and shortstop Alan Burnsed Jr., son of head coach Alan Burnsed Sr.
Nease (12-8-1)
Over the years, the Nease program has seen their share of ups and downs, yet has had some success with two Final Four appearances. However, it’s been over ten years since Tim Tebow last led Nease to the Final Four.
To return to prominence, the team will need big contributions from junior pitcher Leighton Alley (4-2, 1.14 ERA, 55 K/10 W), senior Logan Therre (.304, 13 SB), senior Alec Lopez (.250, four RBI), senior Brennan Hogan (.163, three RBI), junior Patrick Irish (.246, four DB), senior pitcher Tyler Hatcher (.232, 1-2, 5.48 ERA), junior Collin Garner (.288, nine RBI), junior Jarrett Grant (.205, six RBI) and senior pitcher Max Dacquel (2-0, 1.43 ERA).
Terry Parker (17-8)
It’s hard to believe, but at one time, Parker used to be one of the most feared programs in the state after advancing to eight Final Fours, winning a state title in 1991 and finishing second in 1996. However, it’s been 11 years since the Braves have made the playoffs, and the team last made the Final Four in 1996.
If it’s to happen this year it will be because of junior infielder Dylan Letellier (.455, 10 of 11 stolen bases), senior infielder Tyler Rourke (.366, 14 RBI), senior outfielder Armon Bernal (.190, nine stolen bases), senior catcher Cameron Cartwright (.138, two RBI), junior pitcher/first baseman Tyler Naumann (.333, 7-3, 2.04 ERA), junior utility Bobby Raulerson (.267, three RBI) and senior outfielder Terry Mims (.253, 16 stolen bases).
Ponte Vedra (8-17)
Tom Stanton didn’t waste any time building a brand new Ponte Vedra program into a state power, although it probably came quicker then he thought. Since opening in 2008, Ponte Vedra has been to three Final Fours, winning one state title (2013) and finishing as state runner-ups in 2012.
The Sharks missed the playoffs last season for just the second time in school history. With several key returnees back, including seniors J.D. Norris, Andrew Rolfson, Austin Rosenblum, Nathan Rollings, and Griffin Berger, we expect the Sharks to be back in the mix.
St. Joseph (16-5)
Four years ago, the St. Joseph program was dealt a devastating blow when head coach and former MLB player Ryan Freel took his own life six months after taking the job and two months before the 2013 season began. Brian Hinman, who at the time was the athletic director, had to deal with the tragic situation with the kids, especially so close to Christmas and close to conditioning.
After a rough first year, Hinman has guided the program to two straight district titles for the first time in school history and their first playoff appearance in 13 years.
Getting to the playoffs is no longer the goal; now, the ultimate goal becomes winning the school’s first playoff game since 1994. It will be up to a pair of Flagler College signees, seniors Jakobi Dasher and David Drysdale, along with fellow senior Liam Durkin to take the next step.
University Christian (19-9)
From 1974 to 1993, under longtime coach John Brown, University Christian was one of the top programs in the state, advancing to 10 Final Fours, winning three state titles and finishing as state runner-up three times.
However, since that run, the Christians haven’t been able to get back and have only reached the third round of the playoffs twice since. Last year, UC fell in the Sweet Sixteen; taking the program one step further lies in the hands of senior Ryan Brooks and juniors Connor and Garrett Johnson.
Westside (18-7)
What head coach Jeff Gidcumb has been able to do with the Wolverines program the last two years has been unheard of. For years, the former Forrest program was a near-dormant one, with its only playoff appearances being in 1966 and 1972.
However, that changed as Gidcumb, a former Gator and Dodgers pitcher, resurrected the program with back-to-back playoff appearances the last two years. Westside, which was senior-heavy last season, may be rebuilding, especially with the loss of ace pitcher Robert Girgis, who went 10-0 in the regular season.
Division I-A commits/signed
2019 (Fr)
Hunter Barco (Bolles) : Virginia
2018 (So)
Isaiah Byars (Oakleaf) : UCF
Alex Sanchez (Providence) : FSU
2017 (Jr)
Jason Swan (Atlantic Coast) : FIU
AJ Labas (Trinity) : UNF
Clemente Inclan (Bolles) : UNC
2016 (Sr)
Keenan Bell (Episcopal) : Florida
Tanner Murphy (Bartram Trail) : UNF
Ryan Fultz (Bolles) : Troy
District Predictions
1-9A
Champ: Mandarin
Runner-up: Sandalwood
2-8A
Champ: Atlantic Coast
Runner-up: Oakleaf
3-7A
Champ: Columbia
Runner-up: Middleburg
4-7A
Champ: Bartram Trail
Runner-up: Creekside
3-6A
Champ: Parker
Runner-up: Stanton
4-6A
Champ: Clay
Runner-up: Ponte Vedra
3-5A
Champ: Bolles
Runner-up: Suwannee
4-5A
Champ: Bishop Kenny
Runner-up: Fernandina Beach
5-5A
Champ: Keystone Heights
Runner-up: Santa Fe
2-4A
Champ: Trinity
Runner-up: Providence
2-3A
Champ: University Christian
Runner-up: St. Joseph
2-2A
Champ: Christ Church
Runner-up: First Coast Christian
5-1A
Champ: Lafayette
Runner-up: Hamilton
6-1A
Champ: Williston
Runner-up: Fort White
7-1A
Champ: Trenton
Runner-up: Chiefland
8-1A
Champ: Fort Meade
Runner-up: Pierson Taylor
Preview/North Florida/February 2015
St. Johns, Duval, Clay, Florida
Corey Davis
2016 High School Baseball Preview
