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A look at Class 5A, District 7

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published February 18, 2007

Land O'Lakes

Last year: 22-6

This year: The Gators are still one of the top teams in the district, though coach Cal Baisley says replacing 16 departed seniors, including Caz Piurowski and his 18 home runs, will be a tall order. He does get to pencil in Anthony Santa every day though, a huge plus. Santa, who will play shortstop, set a team record when he led the county in hitting last year with a .479 average with 13 doubles and 43 RBIs. The Saint Leo signee is one of several senior starters for the Gators, joining No. 2 pitcher and first baseman Matt Smith, centerfielder Cameron Harris and catcher Brad Patton. Baisley is high on junior pitcher Matt Fuglesang, who will be the Gators' No. 1 starter. A 6-foot-2 right-hander, Fuglesang throws hard and a had an excellent summer, winning that No. 1 spot. Land O'Lakes will have eight other pitchers vying for time. "They all have flashes of brilliance," Baisley said.

Ridgewood

Last year: 21-7

This year: The Rams again are poised to make a run at a district title. The defending champs return the strongest core of players in 5A-7, led by pitcher Ben Koenigsfeld, who has two shutouts and a five-inning no-hitter from the preseason. The Rams are very good up the middle, with Doug Burlett (the Rams' hottest hitter in the early going) behind the plate, Cory Paterson in centerfield and second baseman Anthony Pesce and shortstop Jay Mattos turning double plays. Mattos, a sophomore, also will be the Rams' No. 2 pitcher and many regard him as the county's next star. Senior Charley Mohr (3B) and John Collins (1B) will man the corners. Justin Balk, J.J. Ward and Koenigsfeld (when he's not pitching) give Beets one of his strongest defensive outfields ever.

River Ridge

Last year: 9-16

This year: The Royal Knights are the pick to be the county's surprise team, having won the preseason City Classic by beating Ridgewood, then meeting the Rams again in the Tom Varn Invitational. "Things are looking up," said coach Jack Homko. The pitching has been very good so far, with hard-throwing junior righty Seth Lyons and No. 2 Keith Maynard (who also catches) leading the rotation. Another pitcher, senior Matt Kier, adds experience. The Royal Knights return a pair of all-conference picks in senior outfielders Robert Brady and Terry Newton, as well as six other seniors. Steve Sundquist will start at second base as the skipper brings him back slowly from elbow surgery before moving back to short. "I feel this is the best team we've had in the last four to five years, if not since I've been around here," said Homko, entering his 16th season.

Wesley Chapel

Last year: 7-18

This year: Coach Erik Shafer, entering his third season, thinks the Wildcats may finally be ready to make some noise in the district. He lost five seniors, but returns as much talent as he's had. Jason Smith will start at shortstop, and Shafer says he is a college prospect with a good glove and swift feet. And the former catcher is high on his own backstop, Justin Johnson. Though he pitched some last year, Johnson has a 1.9-second throw down to second base and will be invaluable handling a pitching staff that needs to throw strikes to have a chance. Paul Hill, Andy Esposito and 6-5 junior Brett Lee will join No. 1 Kyle Wahl in the rotation. Wahl was 1-8 last year, but is much improved. The Wildcats have the tough task of matching last year's offensive numbers. "I think this could be the year," Shafer said. "We have 10 seniors and a lot of good leaders on the team that I think can carry us through."

[Last modified February 17, 2007, 20:44:44]