Senior Stallions power Providence baseball into FHSAA Class 3A state semifinals
One season lost to the coronavirus pandemic. One season knocked out in districts. One season bounced 1-0 by a No. 7 seed.
Nove Masci and his senior teammates have waited, and waited.
"It's a long time coming," said Providence's right fielder. "This group of guys has been together for a really long time, so I'm just happy we finally got it done in our senior year."
With teamwork and a winning spirit, the senior class is going strong and carrying the load for the Stallions, who meet Clearwater Calvary Christian at 10 a.m. Friday in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Victory there would lead to a 2 p.m. Saturday title game against Gulliver Prep or North Broward Prep.
For head coach Tommy Boss, who took over last summer after the departure of longtime head coach Mac Mackiewitz, senior leadership makes coaching a whole lot easier.
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"They're super talented," Boss said. "For me, as an outsider coming in, it's not necessarily staying out of their way, but letting them do their thing and letting them play their game."
It's also helped carry the Stallions (25-4) through a bruising schedule, ranked by MaxPreps among the toughest for Florida's Class 3A teams.
No moaning. No griping. No pointing fingers.
"When we got in those tough situations," senior Brett Dennis said, "it was really nice because we just pick each other up and lean on each other."
A FIRM FOUNDATION
For Boss, University of North Florida signee Dennis symbolizes the spirit of Providence baseball.
A third baseman (.310, 9 2B, 20 RBI) when he's not pitching, Dennis ascended the mound for three innings of lockdown relief in the regional semifinal against Wolfson followed by 3 2/3 on Tuesday against Ocala Trinity Catholic.
"He's honestly one of the hardest-working kids I've ever been around," Boss said. "It's no surprise to me the success that he's having, because he puts in the work, and it's awesome to watch."
Dennis has excelled all year while pitching, going 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA and 64 strikeouts, forming the senior portion of an exciting trio with juniors Kyle Powers (5-1, 1.64) and Dominic Rabiei (6-1, 1.12), and excelling with his versatility.
"Once he's on the mound, I know he's going to get outs and he's going to attack hitters," Masci said.
Attacking hitters is no problem for the entire Stallions staff, which holds a team ERA of 1.32 and strikes out more than a batter per inning. Not since fellow final four qualifier St. Johns Country Day on April 14 has anyone scored more than three runs on Providence.
"If we pitch and play defense, we'll be OK," Boss said. "We can hang with anybody."
AN IRON MAN AND MORE
Senior leadership doesn't end with Dennis. Catcher Ben Barrow has been the iron man, behind the plate for every game except one. Left fielder Jimmie Broughton whacked two homers against Marianna in the first round. Shortstop Waz Rollings brings energy from the leadoff spot. Designated hitter Brooks Hicken has delivered clutch at-bat after at-bat in postseason. The list goes on.
"I just saw the way the lineup was coming together," Barrow said. "And I knew that if we played our game, that we'd be able to beat any team in this region and state."
The last piece of the puzzle slid into position at the end of March, when first base slugger Liam O'Neil returned from an injury that sidelined him for most of the first six weeks. He's batted .405 with three home runs and a 1.297 OPS since, and pitchers are beginning to give him the Barry Bonds treatment with intentional walks at every opportunity.
Add in the talents of juniors like center fielder Andrew Johnson and second baseman Mason Wortmann, both batting .411, and hopes are high for a Stallions team ranked seventh across all classes by the FHSAA.
Maybe, the time has arrived to add another championship to the ones from 2003, 2008 and 2012.
"I know that we've put in the most work and, being an older team, we have the most experience," Barrow said. "I think we're definitely ready for it."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school baseball 2023: Senior grit pushes Providence to semifinal
