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Last year's 24-8 season left a bitter aftertaste for
the Gulliver Prep Raiders. This year, the school's baseball team has
unfinished business that may take them all the way to the state
championships.
"Last year we reached regional finals and
lost," Head Coach Jorge Robles said. "The previous year we
lost at the state final game. This year we want to get to the state
championship game and win.
"This year's team is special because we have
about 14 seniors who are very talented," Robles continued.
"These kids have been together for a long time and they work
together as a team. We have good chemistry and wonderful
leadership."
The Raiders will depend on its pitching staff to help
bring success. Returning from last year's team is senior Adam Acosta
with a sparkling 6-1 record. Acosta is known to throw some masterful
performances with his fast ball and slider. Senior Travis Nesmith also
will add experience to the Gulliver pitching staff. Nesmith (5-1) is a
left-handed pitcher who has his pick of at least three colleges --
Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Tennessee. The
6-foot-three-inch fastballer throws in the 90 mph range and his slider
is his best pitch. A new addition to the pitching staff is senior Mike
Dolgos, a transfer from Palmetto High School. Dolgos has solid command
of his pitches and good control.
On the receiving end, senior Javier Herrera is going to be the
everyday catcher for the Raiders. Herrera, with a respectable .420
batting average, probably will hit in the cleanup spot, adding a lot
of power to the team. Herrera has a great arm and plays a tremendous
defense. He is headed for the University of Tennessee.
"Javier is the captain of the team," Robles
said. "We expect him to hit a lot of RBIs and homers this season.
Having him on the team is like having another coach on the
field."
The infield is solid and loaded with a lot of talent.
Senior Danny De La Vega,
a great contact hitter, will hold down the first base
spot for the Raiders. De La Vega is a good defensive first baseman who
will likely hit in the middle of the line up.
Also among the returnees is Paco Figuerora, who will
play second base. In his third year on the varsity team, Figuerora, a
junior, will hold down the number-two spot in the batting line up.
Last year he finished the season with a solid .350 batting average and
45 stolen bases.
Holding down the shortstop spot is David Espinosa, who
was ranked seventh in the nation as a college prospect. The
6-foot-one-inch, 175-pound senior is an all-around talent who can
pitch, play infield and hit.
"David is one of the hardest workers on the
team," Robles said proudly. "He signed with the University
of Miami and he's going to go very far. David is also our closer. He
throws about 90mph."
Two seniors, Lon Balter and Carlos De La Vega, will
battle for the third base spot. Balter is a clutch hitter who plays
good defense and De La Vega will solidify the infield on the left side
with his solid defensive play.
The Raiders have something to bring to the team with
their combination in the outfield. Danny Figuerora, shortstop Paco's
twin, will roam center field. The junior is a great fielder with a lot
of speed. Senior Ryan Prendes, who bats .345 will be the starting
right fielder this season. Prendes has a strong arm and tracks the
ball well. Starting in left field is Dennis Gomez, who is also a
left-handed pitcher. A transfer from Christopher Columbus High School,
Gomez will add depth to the outfield.
"The competition is hard this year," Robles
said. "There are a lot of good teams in Division 3A. Key West
always has a really good team but the key is to win and understand
that each game is going to be tough."
Now the only thing left to do is to take care of
business and do it the only way the Raiders know how -- win.
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