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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 28, 2002
Aaron Sobieraj (Dunedin) epitomizes baseball's definition of a utility player.
Since his freshman year at Florida, Sobieraj has played five positions. The senior started as a Little Leaguer, and has been in every spot except catcher.
When Sobieraj began this season with the Gators, he thought he would focus on pitching to improve his chances of being selected in the major-league draft. But his batting altered the plan.
"I started hitting, and they wanted to keep me in the lineup," Sobieraj said.
"First, I went into right field, then center and now the majority of the season I've played left field," he said. "It feels fine there. I always like to try new things, and it's working out real well." Sobieraj has been among the nation's top hitters in his career. This year at No. 3 in the order, he has a .408 average, including 5 home runs, and 42 RBI. "I've always liked hitting and have a different approach every time I'm at bat," Sobieraj said. Sobieraj, though, concentrates more on his on-base percentage (.461). In Florida's three-game sweep of Vanderbilt, he tied the Gators' season record for sacrifice bunts with his 20th. "I really enjoy bunting and have always felt confident in doing it," Sobieraj said.
"I don't really practice bunting on my own, but just with the team when everyone else works on it. I just feel like when I'm up there, if I'm asked to lay it down, I can."
A four-year letterman at Dunedin, Sobieraj played on the USA Youth National Team in 1997 in Taiwan before his freshman season at Florida. He capped the year by earning Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger All-American honorable mention recognition.
Following that season, bone chips were removed from Sobieraj's right elbow, limiting his pitching. As a sophomore, he batted .274, including a grand slam, and had 25 RBI.
First-year coach Pat McMahon's 12th-ranked Gators are preparing for next month's SEC Tournament.
"I think the team is doing a fantastic job and the coaches are great," Sobieraj said.
"I wanted to go to a college that was pretty close to home, and Florida has worked out perfectly," he said. "My parents are at a lot of the games and have always been so supportive of my playing."
Shortly after the season, Sobieraj will start awaiting the June 3 draft. He turns 21 that day, and would love to receive a call from the pros.
"I don't care where I would go, I just want to go out and play," he said. "I'll take it as far as it goes and see what happens."
BASEBALL: Palm Harbor's Brian Gladysz (Berkeley Prep) is hitting .369 as a junior first baseman for Washington and Lee. Elon (N.C.) College senior second baseman Chris Maggi (Countryside) is batting .333. Junior Marty Hart (Seminole/Florida Community College) is a backup catcher for North Florida. Pitcher Dustin Sode (East Lake) has appeared in nine games for UNC Asheville. Florida State sophomore right-hander Marc LaMacchia (East Lake) is third in the ACC with a 2.60 ERA. Junior Chris Hart (Clearwater) is hitting .275, and sophomore Kevin Richmond (Countryside) is at .271. Yale sophomore Kyle Misenti (Palm Harbor) is batting .314. Patrick Smith (Lakewood) is a backup catcher.
SOFTBALL: Missouri Valley College sophomore Leslie Footlick (Northeast) was named Heart of America Conference Pitcher of the Week after limiting Baker (Kan.) to two hits in eight innings. FOOTBALL: Former Dunedin High School quarterback Chad Nash has accepted a four-year scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Martin. He racked up 3,600 yards passing and 1,000 rushing at Central High in Fort Pierce.
Illinois senior offensive guard Jay Kulaga (Seminole) signed as an NFL free agent with the New York Jets. Appalachian State defensive tackle Ryan Watson (Largo) signed with the Tennessee Titans. DIVING: Auburn freshman Rachel Korth (St. Petersburg Catholic) was honored as the team's most improved diver.
TRACK & FIELD: South Florida sophomore Jimmy Baxter (Boca Ciega) high jumped 7 feet, 4 1/2 inches for a record in the Miami Gatorade Invitational.
TENNIS: Connecticut freshman Natalie Tirapelli (Canterbury) and Seton Hall sophomore Nicole Cercone (Seminole) played in a Big East Conference match. Tirapelli posted a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory in No. 3 singles of the dual won by Seton Hall. Cercone avenged the loss in No. 1 doubles with Kyli Lassale. They received an 8-4 pro-set win over Tirapelli and Trinell Russel.
Lori Grey (Seminole) scored a 6-3, 6-2 singles victory in top-ranked Georgia's SEC Tournament semifinal loss to No. 17 South Carolina.
Duke freshman Kelly McCain (Canterbury/Saddlebrook) posted a singles and doubles victory in the Blue Devils' ACC Tournament championship loss to North Carolina. She is 24-5 in singles.
GYMNASTICS: Denver sophomore Ashley Shible (East Lake) finished 19th all-around in the NCAA Championships. Florida senior Krissy Dreger (Northeast) earned a 9.75 on the uneven bars.
-- News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119, e-mailed to
namgamma@gte.net, or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, Fla. 33756. Please include phone number.