By Kyle LoJacono
The Lutz Little League Junior baseball all star squad went 3-0 en route to claiming the District 25 championship hosted by Land O’ Lakes June 25-30.

Lutz Juniors defeated North Seminole, New Tampa and host Land O’ Lakes twice to win the championship.
“When we held our first all star practice I told the boys that we had the talent to do something special this all-star season,” said Lutz coach Andy Stofanik. “I told them that if we did not win the district it would be a huge disappointment and it would have meant that we really underachieved.”
Andy knew his team had the talent to win, but bringing a group of all stars together as one team is sometimes a challenge.
“You know the most difficult thing about coaching an all-star team is that everyone is used to playing shortstop and batting in the three hole,” Andy said. “Some shortstops have to play outfield and others have to play catcher. Fortunately everyone has accepted their role on this team.”
Lutz allowed 11 runs in its four games during the event, thanks in part to pitching and defense.
“The pitching performances we got out of Drew Stofanik, Anthony Rocca and Ryan Nagel were unbelievable,” Andy said. “The three of them came up huge for us down the stretch.
“Miguel Rodriguez was a beast in centerfield,” Andy said. “He ran down some shots that just ended up being long outs. He was a game changer. … Anthony Rocca played very well at shortstop. At times it felt like he was making every out on the field.”
Andy also praised his catcher Nagel, who did not allow a passed ball in the tournament.
The all stars won their opening game against North Seminole 10-3 behind the pitching of Al Alberger and Nagel. Drew drove in two runs, while Nagel helped his own cause by adding one RBI.
In the second contest, Lutz defeated Land O’ Lakes 8-4. Drew had a perfect game through three innings. Rocca pitched two frames in relief and Nagel closed the last two. At the plate, Lutz was led by Drew’s two hits and four RBI.
Lutz played New Tampa in game three, an 11-1 win. Drew and Rocca each pitched three innings. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a double while driving in one and scoring another. Alberger had two hits, one RBI and scored a pair of runs. Joining the hit parade were Rocca, with one hit, two RBI and one run scored. Jesse Reinhart had a hit and also scored once, while Stofanik added a hit, scored a run and drove in a pair. Nagel and Matt Berube also each posted one hit and one run scored.
Land O’ Lakes fought back to make the championship game June 30, but the boys from northern Hillsborough County had just a little more and defeated the central Pasco County squad 4-3 in eight innings.
Lutz got a five-inning pitching performance from Drew. Then Rocca came in to slam the door shut allowing no hits in three frames of work while striking out five.
Land O’ Lakes threatened in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rocca picked off the runner on second to end the frame.
Reinhart hit a single in the eighth inning with one out and the score tied 3-3. He stole second base and advanced to third when the ball got away from the catcher. Reinhart scored what ended up being the winning run on a passed ball two pitches later.
Brandon Furr had two hits, including a double, while scoring two runs and driving in one in the title game.
By winning the district, Lutz will play in the sectional tournament in Haines City starting July 22, where the squad can qualify for states.
“It is going to be a great experience,” Drew said. “Every year all stars start up, you dream about winning the district tournament and this year we did it. If we play like we did in the district tournament, we have a shot to win sectionals and go to state.”
Lutz Junior all stars
- Al Alberger
- Matt Berube
- Matthew Cerreta
- Cody Cox
- Chris Day
- Alex DiFante
- Brandon Furr
- Kyle Handerhan
- Ryan Nagel
- Jesse Reinhart
- Anthony Rocca
- Miguel Rodriguez
- Drew Stofanik
- Austin Wentz
- Andy Stofanik, coach
- Barry Anderson, assistant
- Gene Cox, assistant
- Bob Day, assistant
- Joe Reinhart, assistant
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.