The Laker and the Lutz News has named its All-Laker/All-Lutz News team for the 2012 high school baseball, softball and boys weightlifting season. Members were selected based on their skill, value to their squad, final statistics and head-to-head matchups. Teams in the coverage area include Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton and Wiregrass Ranch. The flag football, track and tennis team were released last week.
All stats are as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches and all playoff performances are as recorded by the FHSAA. Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono selected the team along with help from Staff Writer Jeff Odom with the baseball list. LoJacono can be reached at .
Baseball first team
–Pitcher: Evan Gainey, Sr., Gaither. Posted a 7-4 record and a 1.62 ERA in 77.2 innings with 81 strikeouts.
–Pitcher: Ryan Kopenski, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The Bulls’ ace posted an 8-3 record with two saves, 1.58 ERA and 32 Ks in 57.2 innings while holding opponents to a .184 batting average.
–Pitcher: Chris Williams, Sr., Steinbrenner. The Saint Leo University signee went 7-0 with 1.66 ERA while fanning 52 batters in 54.2 innings.
–Pitcher: Collin Woody, Sr., Wharton. The physically imposing righty had nine wins to two losses with a 1.82 ERA and 75 Ks in 77 innings.
–Catcher: Eric Schindler, Sr., Freedom. Led all area catchers with a .388 batting average while posting a .590 on-base percentage and racking up 22 runs, 15 steals, 10 RBI and four doubles.
–First base: Chris Zichy, Sr., Wesley Chapel. One of the area’s best pure hitters. Had a .463 batting average, a .514 on-base percentage, 15 runs and 11 RBI.
–Second base: Dylan Harris, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Went .412 at the plate while finding his way on base .485 percent of the time. Scored 25 times while posting 13 steals, nine RBI and eight doubles.
–Shortstop: Oscar Mercado, Jr., Gaither. The Florida State University commit hit .370 with a team-high 29 RBI, 28 runs and 12 steals.
–Third base: Tuck Neuhaus, Jr., Wharton. The University of Louisville commit swung with power, belting six homers and five doubles while hitting .317 with a .467 on-base percentage, 22 runs and 16 RBI.
–Outfield: Hayden Kelley, Sr., Gaither. The center fielder posted a .325 batting average and a .480 on-base percentage while adding 24 runs, 20 walks, 15 RBI, nine steals and eight doubles.
–Outfield: Sammy May, Sr., Steinbrenner. In his first season getting significant playing time May led the Warriors with a .391 batting average while adding nine runs.
–Outfield: Zach White, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Hit .405 and slugged .532 while recording 24 runs, 21 RBI, 13 steals and three home runs
–Designated hitter: Matt Frey, Sr., Gaither. Batted .394 with a 1.177 OPS, 23 RBI, 14 runs and four homers a little more than a year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
–Utility: Collin Woody, Sr., Wharton. Found his way on base .495 percent of the time while slugging .610, hitting .341 and scoring 23 times.
Baseball second team
–Pitcher: Cole Gordon, So., Steinbrenner. Had a slim 0.95 ERA while going 6-1 with one save and 53 strikeouts. Also held opponents to a .150 batting average in 36.2 innings.
–Pitcher: Brad Hencke, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The University of Tampa signee had a 5-4 record with a 1.43 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 73.1 innings.
–Pitcher: Shaun Rubin, Sr., Wharton. The Harvard University signee had a team-best 1.56 ERA with a 6-3 record in 76.1 innings while fanning 58 batters.
–Pitcher: Kyle Schindler, Sr., Freedom. Pitched in the Patriots’ biggest games. Went 4-4 with a 2.33 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 57 innings.
–Catcher: Jake Gowen, Sr., Gaither. Always got the job done behind the plate while posting a .414 on-base percentage, nine RBI and four doubles.
–First base: Chase Turner, Jr., Steinbrenner. Hit.354 with a .402 on-base percentage with 17 runs, nine RBI, six steals and five doubles.
–Second base: Chandler Chapman, Jr., Freedom. Averaged .350 with 14 RBI and 10 runs.
–Shortstop: Kyle Schindler, Sr., Freedom. His work in the field is a big reason why the Patriots made their first postseason. Hit .345 with a .519 on-base percentage, 23 runs and eight doubles.
–Third base: Keegan Tanner, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Stole 12 bases while scoring 24 runs and adding 14 RBI. Hit .333 with a .437 on-base percentage.
–Outfield: Michael Barrone, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. The lead-off hitter got on base .440 percent of the time while hitting .338 and adding 22 runs, 16 steals and 15 RBI.
–Outfield: Eddie Pastrana, Sr., Gaither. The speedy senior hit an even .300 with 27 runs, 15 RBI and nine doubles.
–Outfield: Devin Sheppard, Fr., Freedom. Hit .340 with nine RBI and five doubles as a freshman.
–Designated hitter: Alex Goebel, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch. Despite having no high school experience Goebel hit .339 with a .434 on-base percentage and slugged .500. Drove in 22 with 16 runs and five doubles.
–Utility: Johnny Keigher, Jr., Freedom. Hit a robust .476 while getting on base .551 percent of the time and slugged .619. Recorded 20 runs and 20 RBI with six doubles.
Baseball honorable mention
–Pitcher: Zack Drury, So., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.35 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.
–Pitcher: Chase Ingream, Jr., Wesley Chapel. Had a 2.72 ERA with a 4-5 record and 42 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work.
–Pitcher: Tanner Koch, Jr., Bishop McLaughlin. The ‘Canes No. 1 went 6-4 with a 1.45 ERA and 50 Ks in 53 innings.
–Pitcher: Alex Milne, Sr., Gaither. The lefty went 4-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 48 innings while recording 44 strikeouts.
–Pitcher: Cameron Stoltz, Sr., Sunlake. Went 4-1 on the mound with a 1.97 ERA with 55 punchouts in 53.1 innings.
–Catcher: Sebastion Ferreira, Jr., Wesley Chapel. The first-year starter behind the plate batted .333 with a .426 on-base percentage.
–First base: Jose Gonzalez, Sr., Gaither. Owns a steady glove at first while hitting .301 with 21 RBI, 13 runs and four home runs.
–Second base: Mike Campoamor, So., Wiregrass Ranch. The solid fielder hit .315 with 27 runs, 17 RBI and nine doubles.
–Second base: Cody Robinson, Sr., Gaither. Hit .333 with a .462 on-base percentage and nine runs.
–Shortstop: Stone Ramsey, Sr., Steinbrenner. A broken right wrist ended his season early, but was a solid fielder and hit .317 with 23 runs and five homers.
–Shortstop: Zachary Whitaker, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Had a .433 on-base percentage and a .329 batting average while knocking in 16 runs and scoring 15 times.
–Third base: Josh Nissen, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Got on base .426 percent of the time while recording 25 runs, 12 RBI and six steals.
–Outfield: Elias Earley, Fr., Carrollwood Day. Had a beastly .569 on-base percentage while hitting .333 with 11 runs.
–Outfield: Chris Torres, Sr., Gaither. Played a solid right field while batting .278 with 13 runs, nine RBI and five doubles.
–Outfield: Colin Campbell, So., Carrollwood Day. Had a team-high .492 batting average with a .542 on-base percentage, 23 runs and 19 RBI.
–Designated hitter: Christian Diaz, Sr., Steinbrenner. Had an on-base percentage of .427 while hitting .343 with 17 runs, 17 RBI and seven doubles.
–Designated hitter: Patrick Soril, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Hit .391 with 20 runs and 17 RBI for the Gators.
Player of the Year: Collin Woody, Wharton. Woody was a key cog in the Wildcats’ first trip to the postseason in program history. The 6-foot-1 senior hit .341 with .495 on-base percentage while slugging .610. Scored 23 runs and drove in 20 runs, all of which seemed to be in critical situations. He also smacked 10 doubles with four homers and stole five bases.
Pitcher of the Year: Evan Gainey, Gaither. He suffered broken bones in his face after a comebacker hit him as a junior, but the Cowboys’ ace showed no ill effects this season. He went 7-4 with a 1.62 ERA and 81 stakeouts, more than any other area athlete, in 77.2 innings. Also held opponents to a slim .163 batting average. Gaither called on Gainey in critical games, and he always answered the bell.
Coach of the Year: Scott Hoffman, Wharton. Hoffman guided the Wildcats to the first playoff berth and to the first district championship in the program’s 14-year history, and did so by navigating through one of the toughest leagues in the state. Wharton went 21-9 and reached the Class 8A regional finals.
Softball first team
–Pitcher: Sydney Boynton, Jr., Academy at the Lakes. Took the mound for the Wildcats in the critical games, going 8-3 with a 1.70 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 70 innings.
–Pitcher: Meghan Durbin, Sr., Sunlake. Went 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 83.2 innings while hitting .359 with 31 RBI, 28 runs and 13 steals.
–Pitcher: Grace Street, Fr., Freedom. Threw every pitch of the Patriots’ 130.1 innings this year with an 11-7 record, a 1.93 ERA and 72 Ks. Also hit .431 with 17 RBI.
–Catcher: Alia Serafini, Jr., Steinbrenner. Besides being the top defensive catcher in the area, Serafini also hit .424 with 28 RBI and nine doubles.
–First base: Taylor Morrow, Jr., Steinbrenner. One of the hardest outs in the area, hit .517 with 21 RBI while striking out only twice.
–Second base: Mary Sorgenfrei, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Hit .356 with 15 runs and four doubles.
–Shortstop: Lauren Evans, So., Academy at the Lakes. The University of South Florida commit rarely got good pitches to hit, but still batted an absurd .652 with 44 RBI, 33 runs, 13 steals, nine doubles, nine triples and four homers.
–Third base: Kelsey McGough, So., Gaither. Posted a .448 batting average with 18 RBI, 14 runs and six doubles.
–Outfield: Courtney Durbin, Sr., Sunlake. Was a terror at the plate. Hit .533 with 33 runs, 23 RBI, 10 doubles and eight triples while also stealing 20 bases.
–Outfield: Spencer Valdespino, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Did almost everything for the ‘Canes, hitting .500 with 27 runs, 18 RBI, 15 steals, four doubles and three home runs.
–Outfield: Ashley Wilson, So., Freedom. Had a team-high .442 batting average with 21 runs, 17 RBI, six steals and six triples.
–Designated player: Stephanie Frances, Jr., Sunlake. The power threat for the Seahawks hit .563 with 34 RBI, 29 runs, 11 doubles and six home runs.
Softball second team
–Pitcher: Lauren Evans, So., Academy at the Lakes. When she wasn’t playing shortstop she was compiling a 6-2 record with 61 Ks and a 0.98 ERA in 43 innings.
–Pitcher: Makaleigh Dooley, Fr., Wharton. Was always around the plate, walking only 13 in 111.2 innings while compiling an 8-5 record, a 2.70 ERA and 79 strikeouts.
–Pitcher: Kellee Ramsey, So., Steinbrenner. Held opponents to a .151 batting average in 156 innings pitched while going 14-8 with a 2.83 ERA and 119 strikeouts.
–Catcher: Meghan Sfraga, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. The do-everything senior hit .357 while playing a solid backstop.
–First base: Morgan Litchfield, Sr., Gaither. Her power numbers dropped off, but the senior still hit .339 with 18 runs, 12 RBI and five doubles.
–Second base: Alisha Rodriguez, Sr., Gaither. Hit .283 with 10 runs and eight RBI.
–Shortstop: Kassidy Kujawa, Sr., Wharton. Hit a robust .479 with 35 RBI, 21 runs, nine doubles, eight triples and seven homers.
–Third base: Andrea Niggebrugge, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Added some thump to the lineup with a .373 batting average, 15 RBI, five doubles and five triples.
–Outfield: Skyler Boynton, Fr., Academy at the Lakes. Hit leadoff for the Wildcats, posting a .422 batting average with 32 runs, 10 steals and five doubles.
–Outfield: Lena Rovellada, Sr., Gaither. The speed demand swept 10 bases while hitting .377 with 14 runs and 14 RBI.
–Outfield: Brandi Travis, Jr., Sunlake. Stole 24 bases, more than any other area athlete, while hitting .453 with 28 runs.
–Designated player: Caitlin Milne, Jr., Gaither. Always seemed to drive in runners in scoring position. Hit .367 with 21 RBI and two homers.
Softball honorable mention
–Pitcher: Danielle Micciche, So., Sunlake. Posted a 7-2 record with a 2.88 ERA in 56 innings.
–Pitcher: Rachael Heath, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch. Went 2-0 on the mound with a 1.75 ERA while fanning 20 batters.
–Catcher: Rebecca Hannah, So., Academy at the Lakes. The vocal leader of the Wildcats controlled the game on the field while hitting .264 with 12 RBI.
–Catcher: Kayla Maczuga, Fr., Freedom. Hit .345 with 12 runs and nine RBI as a freshman.
–First base: Katie Gresham, Sr., Freedom. Provided leadership as Freedom’s only senior along with 10 RBI.
–Shortstop: Erica Serafini, Fr., Steinbrenner. Certainly didn’t hit like a freshman, posting a .411 batting average with 24 runs.
–Shortstop: Amy Szymanowski, Sr., Sunlake. The Bishop McLaughlin transfer hit .468 with 14 runs, 13 RBI and four home runs.
–Third base: Monica Santos, Sr., Wharton. Smacked seven doubles and three home runs with 20 RBI and a .437 batting average.
–Outfield: Brook Baptiste, So., Bishop McLaughlin. The speedy sophomore swiped 16 bases while hitting .350 and a team-high four homers.
–Outfield: Ashley Bradford, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Compiled a .381 batting average with 13 runs and eight RBI.
–Outfield: Rachel Carlson, So., Freedom. Played a solid center field while hitting .357 and stealing five bases.
–Outfield: Liesel Johnson, Fr., Land O’ Lakes. Part of a talented young nucleolus for the Gators, hit .372 as a freshman.
–Designated player: Megan Malone, Jr., Bishop McLaughlin. Added depth to the lineup hitting .434.
Player of the Year: Courtney Durbin, Sunlake. Name any part of the game and Durbin excelled at it. Not only did she play a near-flawless outfield, but also hit the cover off the ball all season. Posted a .533 batting average with 33 runs, 23 RBI, 10 doubles and eight triples while stealing 20 bases. Was also a major leader on a team that lost six seniors from the year before.
Pitcher of the Year: Sydney Boynton, Academy at the Lakes. Boynton had one of the most devastating strikeout pitches in the area with a brutally off-speed changeup, but she also has a plus curveball, dropball and screwball while adding a solid riseball and fastball. Her 8-3 record, 1.70 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 70 innings speak for themselves.
Coach of the Year: Jerry English, Academy at the Lakes. The veteran coach had a large challenge when he took over the program this year. He had some high-level travel ball players and others who had never played before. He got the squad playing together to the tune of a 14-5 record en route to a district championship and regional finals appearance for the first time in program history.
Boys weight lifting
–Dean Bui, Sr., Sunlake. Posted a 230 bench and 225 clean, 455 total, to finish sixth in the Class 2A 129-pound division at states.
–Kyle Fraser, Sr., Sunlake. His 545 total pounds was good enough to take eighth place at states in the Class 2A 154-pound division.
–Jack Holloway, Jr., Sunlake. Was 13th overall in the Class 2A 119-pound division by putting up 365 total pounds.
–Nate McCoole, Sr., Sunlake. Put up 750 pounds, more than anyone else in the Class 2A unlimited division at states.
–Jerome Samuels, Sr., Sunlake. Lifted 605 total pounds to place 11th overall in the Class 2A 238-pound division.
Lifter of the Year: Nate McCoole, Sunlake. McCoole was on a mission to bring home the first state championship in Sunlake weightlifting’s five-year history, and he did just that with his 440 bench and personal record 310 clean and jerk at the Class 2A unlimited division at states. He also tied a Pasco County record by benching 450 to help him win a district title.
Coach of the Year: Matt Smith, Sunlake. Wins the honor for the second straight year. Smith’s squad had another undefeated season and claimed another district title this year. He also took five lifters to states. No other area team took even one athlete to the finals.
