Advertisement

District baseball: Who is getting out? Take a look at the breakdown of each tournament

roy fuoco, lakeland ledger
·6 min read

Lake Wales is the last Polk County public school to win a state title in 1993, and Santa Fe Catholic, a private school, won two years later. Then, Polk County went on to have a baseball state title drought that lasted nearly a quarter century.

Lakeland Christian ended the overall drought in 2019 then won again last year, but a Polk public school is still looking for the first state title since Lake Wales’ title in ’93.

Is this the year?

McKeel has the best chance to end the public school drought, and LCS is in good position to defend its title.

Lakeland Christian second baseman Colby Brewington makes the throw to first base after forcing out McKeel's Jorge Cordova at second on Friday in the championship game of the Polk County Baseball Tournament.
Lakeland Christian second baseman Colby Brewington makes the throw to first base after forcing out McKeel's Jorge Cordova at second on Friday in the championship game of the Polk County Baseball Tournament.

To have a chance of winning a state title, teams have to get out of the district tournament with a playoff berth, and that task begins this week with the district tournaments. Here’s how things shape up for Polk teams:

7A-6: District title would give Winter Haven signature win

District Rankings: 1. Plant City Durant (18-3), 2. Winter Haven (16-7), 3. Litha Newsome (16-5), 4. Dover Strawberry Crest (13-8), 5. Ridge Community (11-10), 6. Haines City (1-15).

Analysis: Winter Haven will be tested in the semis against Newsome with the winner likely playing Durant. The Blue Devils are a solid team but lack a signature win. Their best win might be 10-6 one Sebring (16-8) on Tuesday. Among the players to watch for Winter Haven are shortstop Alejandro Sandoval, third baseman Gage McCrystal and second baseman Joshua Cruz. Barring upsets, Winter Haven will be the only Polk team from this district to make the playoffs. Ridge’s lineup could do damage as the Bolts have a team batting average of .352, led by Sebastian Ortiz (.462), Yamil Martinez (.431), Deniel Serrano (.426) and Dylan Vasquez (.373). However, it might not be enough to overcome the pitching staff’s team ERA of 5.71. Haines City was 30-17 over the past two seasons, including 16-8 last year, but the bottom fell out this season.

Lakeland's Chris Conde forces out Lake Wales' Diego Colon at second base on Wednesday in the third-place game of the Dan Giannini Baseball Classic.
Lakeland's Chris Conde forces out Lake Wales' Diego Colon at second base on Wednesday in the third-place game of the Dan Giannini Baseball Classic.

6A-6: Jenkins-Lakeland showdown looms for district title

District Rankings: 1. George Jenkins (13-7), 2. Lakeland (15-6), 3. Bartow (11-12), 4. Lake Gibson (5-14), 5. Kathleen (4-16).

Analysis: George Jenkins and Lakeland are heavy favorites to meet in the championship game. They have yet to play each other this season. George Jenkins is 27-14 vs. Lakeland going back to 2007, including 20-3 since 2016. Jenkins has just three hitters batting over .300 in Armani Cozza (365), Seth Patterson (.354) and Kim Wilson (.315) but boast a strong pitching staff that has a team ERA of 2.13. Xavier Glover (3.00), Braden Smith (1.75), Justin Williams (0.33) and Austin Dadey (2.80) lead the staff. Lakeland is batting .325 as a team but has been without top hitter Daniel Hernandez (.469) since the beginning of the month after he was injured in the district tournament. Xavier Rivera (.456), Earl Miller (.352), AJ Sierra (.349), Ashton Vaughn (.327) and Chris Conde (.327) have kept the lineup dangerous. The pitching staff boasts a 1.74 ERA, led by Cooper Emery (1.60), Conde (2.33) and Miller (1.43). Bartow opens against Lakeland and will look to play spoiler. Both Jenkins and Lakeland should make the playoffs.

5A-7: Pitching makes Lake Wales dangerous, but it’s not enough

District Rankings: 1. Sebring (15-7), 2. Lake Wales (12-12), 3. Auburndale (8-14), 4. Gateway (6-13), 5. Liberty (0-18).

Analysis: Lake Wales is the only Polk teams that can make the playoffs without winning the district title. The Highlanders have been up-and-down but have wins over Lakeland (twice) and Jenkins. Lake Wales is batting just .238 as a team with Diego Colon (.290 BA) as the leading hitter. A pitching staff led by Gage Chandler (1.02 ERA), Max Seidl (2.16) and Will Pilon (0.48) keep the Highlanders in games and capable of pulling off upsets. Auburnale and Lake Wales could meet in the semis, and they split during the regular season.

McKeel's Brody Lanier slides safely into home as Lakeland Christian catcher Mitch Rodrigues jumps to make the catch on Friday in the championship game of the Polk County Baseball Tournament.
McKeel's Brody Lanier slides safely into home as Lakeland Christian catcher Mitch Rodrigues jumps to make the catch on Friday in the championship game of the Polk County Baseball Tournament.

4A-9: McKeel setting sights on state title

District Rankings: 1. McKeel (20-4), 2. Mulberry (16-8), 3. Wauchula Hardee (13-6), 4. Lake Region (8-11), 5. Davenport (8-13).

Analysis: McKeel is ranked No. 1 in 4A in the No. 8 overall in the state in the FHSAA rankings. The Wildcats will be heavily favored to win the district title and make a deep playoff run. KJ Scobey (.388 BA), Wyatt Thomas (.375), Hayden Testerman (.346) and Joseph Mills (.338) lead a solid lineup. The Wildcats boasts perhaps the top pitching staff that has a 1.58 ERA, led by Caleb Clayton (0.57), Braxten Pemons (0.79), Kaden Howell (2.00) and Austin Peddycoart (2.95). Mulberry is the most improved team in the county turning around a 6-16 record last year to 16-8. Junior Nic Partridge (.441 BA, 7 HR, 26 RBI) is one of the top hitters in the county and leads the strong lineup that includes Cooper Wright (.390), Brock Thielen (.348), Dominic Gotauco (.347) and Hayden Wyatt (.359). Jaden Sweeney (0.21 ERA) leads the pitching staff. If the current rankings hold, McKeel and Mulberry could meet in the district finals, then again in the regional semifinals. Lake Region and Davenport need to win the district to make the playoffs.

3A-7: Fort Meade should move on, Discovery looking for help

District Rankings: 1. Fort Meade (15-8), 2. Avon Park (13-8), 3. Discovery (17-7), 4. Lake Placid (10-13), 5. Four Corners (10-11), 6. Frostproof (8-14).

Analysis: Fort Meade is likely the only Polk team to advance out of districts. The Miners are led by Florida-signee Carson Montsdeoca, who is batting .364 and has a 2.27 ERA. Demarion Abrams (.406 BA) and Owen Harrell (.400) also possess big bats. Jeremiah Cabrera (1.02 ERA) and Harrell (1.85 ERA) team up with Montsdeoca, who has a 1.63 ERA. Discovery has a nice record, but a weak strength of schedule puts them at No. 10 in the region, making it a tough challenge to move into the top eight after districts. The Spartans are led by Anderson Jorge (.394), Cameron Brown (.351) and Jamor Richardson (.356).

2A-8: Lakeland Christian, Santa Fe contenders for final four

District rankings: 1. Lakeland Christian (18-3), 2. Santa Fe Catholic (16-5), 3. Victory Christian (7-14), 4. Oasis Christian (15-8), 5. Moore Haven (6-12).

Analysis: Defending state champion Lakeland Christian and Santa Fe Catholic are two of the top teams in the state. LCS is No. 3 in 2A, and Santa Fe is No. 8. They are ranked first and third in the region. LCS, which won the county title, boasts a deep lineup. Eight of the starting nine are batting over .300, led by Gavin Byrd (.444), Chris Brewington (.425), Diego Colon (.412), Zach Lester (.375) and Daniel Herrera (.361), and Peyton Brenneman is batting .299. Carson Martin (2.19 ERA) and Peyton Rutledge (2.17 ERA) lead the pitching staff. Santa Fe Catholic is batting .365, led by Marvin Montenegro (.507), Ethan Beach (.506), DJ Flores (.478) and Michael Welling (.385). Gavin Steadman (1.96 ERA) and Jacob Knisley (1.74 ERA) pace the lineup.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Take a look at the breakdown of each baseball district tournament