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Baseball: Senior Leadership Key To Jesuit's Strong Start

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By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

Updated: 03/13/2009 12:25 am

Jesuit baseball coach Richie Warren believes there are four big reasons the Tigers have jumped to a 9-0 start this season.

"I think a lot of it has to do with our senior leadership," said Warren, referring to senior captains IF Nick Lockwood, C Joe Hudson, OF Jimmy Falla and IF Greg Dupell.

After a disappointing end to the 2008 season, when the Tigers missed the state playoffs for the first time since 1991, Hudson said he and his co-captains felt obligated to step up their leadership.

"We took it upon ourselves to really get out in practice every day and make sure things are done the right way - all-out hustle every play," Hudson said.

That mentality has paid dividends early, and the Tigers have proven they are capable of winning games in a variety of ways. They have gotten key hits early and relied on good pitching and defense to hold on, like in Wednesday's victory against Plant. They have put together big offensive days in victories against Middleton, Chamberlain, Hillsborough and Blake. And they have managed to put together late rallies when needed, including seventh-inning comebacks against Jefferson and Tampa Catholic.

TURNING THE CORNER: It is safe to say that Tampa Catholic's 1-4 start was an eye-opener for the Crusaders, and Coach Rich Arena knew changes had to be made in the team's approach.

"The baseball gods have a way of telling you things," Arena said. "We had to get back to business and doing the small things that made us successful before, and paying attention to details while we're doing it."

The Crusaders, led by senior OF Ryan Henry (.524, seven RBIs), sophomore IF Dominic Millan (.391) and junior C Shane Rowland (.364, five RBIs), have since responded and put together consecutive district wins against Clearwater Central Catholic and St. Petersburg Catholic, giving them some momentum heading into today's district showdown with a surprising Berkeley Prep squad.

COMING TOGETHER: First-year Durant coach Butch Valdes had a good feeling before Wednesday night's game against Plant City.

"I think it's finally coming together," he said. Valdes might be right.

After an 0-3 start, the Cougars pulled off their fourth win in their past five games Wednesday with an 8-6 victory over the Raiders. One of the keys to the turnaround has been Durant's offense, which has averaged eight hits per game in those four wins.

The Cougars' offense also received a huge boost recently with the return of junior C Ruben Garcia, who was feared to be lost for the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the football team. Valdes said Garcia, who hit a team-best .344 and had 12 RBIs last season, will be relegated to the DH role likely until April's Saladino Tournament, but his addition certainly is welcomed.

EXTRA BASES: After starting the season 0-5, Chamberlain has won two of its last three, including a 4-2 win over Jefferson in a 14-inning marathon last Friday. ... Cambridge Christian senior IF Trent Tagliarini has had multiple hits in all five games this season and has nine RBIs during the Lancers' current four-game win streak. ... Brooks-DeBartolo, which has won six in a row, has been flying around the base paths. The Phoenix have 68 stolen bases, with senior OF Reggie Williams Jr. leading the way with 22.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at

(813) 259-7616.

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