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BULLSEYE: BLOOMINGDALE BASEBALL HITS THE MARK, WINS FIRST STATE TITLE

The Bloomingdale High School baseball program made history, winning its first state title. The Bulls defeated Fleming Island High School 5-1 in the FHSAA Class 6A State Championship on May 22 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

“I instantly felt a rush of adrenaline as soon as he hit the fly ball my way, and once it was in my glove, I just thought, ‘We did it,’” said senior outfielder Marlon Bowen, who took home MVP honors with his 4-for5 weekend. “It was only excitement going through my head.”

Bowen, who was arguably the heart and soul of the Bulls, was in the middle of the order, hitting fourth with a .382 batting average and a team high 25 runs batted in. It was Bowen’s first season as a starting varsity player after sitting behind star slugging outfielder Dominic Gonnella. He started the season hitting at the bottom of the order before later breaking through in a big way. He had the key hit against Fleming Island with a triple over the left fielder’s head, driving in two runs and extending the Bull’s lead to 4-0 in the third inning.

After beating St. Petersburg High School 3-2 in the district championship, Bloomingdale (24-6) had a string of close wins leading up to the state final. They had a 7-4 comeback victory against Gaither High School after trailing 4-1 early on, defeated Mitchell High School 2-1 and finished of Gulf Coast High School 4-3 to claim their first regional title since 2014. The Bulls used stellar defense, great base running and timely hitting to beat Dwyer High School to reach their first state title game since the team came up a little bit short against South Dade High School in the 2014 state championship game.

Fourteen-year Head Coach Kris Wilken said that he had his most complete team this season in all facets of the game, including pitching, defense, base running and hitting. The 2021 Bulls had more wins (24) than any other team led by Wilken. He said that his team’s mental toughness is what made the diference.

“You can have teams like that that are very complete; if they are not mentally tough and have the heart, it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “When we got to the playofs, we were very complete, but so were all the teams we played. These kids just wanted it more, and nothing was going to get in their way.” The Bulls got a boost from an unlikely source—junior relief pitcher Chase Chappell, who hadn’t been tapped in nearly a month prior to the regional final. He recorded saves in two straight playof wins leading up to the final. When he was called upon in relief of senior Florida International University signee David Eckaus in the fourth inning, he promptly got out of a jam with runners on first and second with no outs and an inherited 2-0 count. He recorded the last 12 outs to preserve his team’s 5-1 victory. Wilken said that Chappell fixed something in his mechanics during a team scrimmage before the regional final, and that, along with his cool demeanor and competitiveness, gave Wilken the confidence to use him as his number one reliever.

“My mindset going into the game was to get outs and compete like I know I can,” said Chappell. “My goal was to get out of that inning with the least amount of damage done, and we did that as a team. It was a little nerve-wracking going in, but I knew we could do damage control and get out of it.”

Catcher Wyatt Strickland, who helped lead the pitching staf all season long, calling almost every pitch, also went 2-for-3 in the championship game. He was impressed with Chappell’s poise in the biggest game of the year.

“I had no doubt that Chase was going to finish the game,” he said. “His curveball and fastball were really working for him. Our pitchers were consistent throughout the season and were dominant on the mound, and our hitters were locked in throughout the playofs.”

The Bulls are expected to make another run for the title next season with 16 returning players, including shortstop and Clemson University commit Colby Shelton, ace pitcher and Stetson University commit Jack Owens and leadof hitter Drake Harman.

“Next year’s seniors sure have a hard expectation to live up to, because this year wasn’t easy at all,” said Bowen. “With that being said, I know that they can overcome anything if they stick together and build a bond with each other.”

Bloomingdale Bulls Varsity Baseball Team win its frst State Championship . “Tis team didn’t need coaches to keep them focused, the team encouraged each other,” said Coach Wilson.

WINTHROP ARTS MOBILE ART FACTORY UNVEILS NEW ART EXHIBIT AT KRAZY KUP

third art exhibit being displayed which features the artwork of Martinez and the students from the Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory. Annabel Saavedra is the community coordinator for Hispanic Services Council in Plant City. Saavedra said, “The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory has been a huge hit. The stu-

Come see the newest art exhibit, created by Bryant Mar- dents look forward to it. Students tinez and the students in the Winthrop Arts Mobile Art and parents alike enjoy the activities

Factory, on display at Krazy Kup in historic downtown that have been introduced to them Plant City. and give them the opportunity to be-

There is a new art exhibit at Krazy Kup, come involved.” located at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. in Saavedra added, “The beautiful art that historic downtown Plant City. The art was the students make is something they take created by artist Bryant Martinez and the great pride in. Making the art public, that students who attend the Winthrop Arts everyone can enjoy, only elevates their feelMobile Art Factory program at Hispanic ings of achievement and aptitude.” Services Council in Plant City. Hailey Arechiga, a 6-year-old student

The artwork was unveiled on May 20. The who attends the Winthrop Arts Mobile Art young artists were treated to an artists’ re- Factory, said, “I like when I can see what I ception with delicious baked goods and bev- made and people can see it too. It makes me erages courtesy of Krazy Kup. feel very happy seeing it is for everyone.”

The artwork features musical instruments Hispanic Services Council is a communisuch as banjos. Krazy Kup ofers bluegrass ty based organization working to improve jams on the first Saturday of each month. the quality of life of all Latinos by promotThroughout the month, they ofer a variety ing academic success of children and youth, of event on Friday and Saturday including providing immigration legal services, suplocal musicians, open mic and showings of porting the development of healthy comclassic movies. munities and promoting leadership and en-

Martinez said, “I attended an event at gagement among Latinos. Krazy Kup and saw musicians playing. I The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory rewas truly inspired. I took the idea to the ceives funding from the Arts Council of Hillstudents, and they loved it.” sborough County, the Arts Council of Plant

The artwork is displayed in the outdoor City, Suncoast Credit Union and others. courtyard, which Frank and Wenda Trunzo, For more information, please visit the owners of Krazy Kup, have graciously www.winthroparts.org, www.hispanicallowed Winthrop Arts to use. This is the servicescouncil.org, and www.krazykup.com.

TAMPA THEATRE’S SUMMER CLASSICS MOVIE SERIES IS BACK BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

This year, Thursday, June Tampa Theatre 24 at 7:30 p.m. will celebrate 30 With this film, years of present- the audience will ing its popular get to see it exSummer Classics actly how audiMovie Series. ences saw it in There is no better 1925, as it will be way to see classic presented in its movies than the original format way they should with live accombe seen—on the paniment on the big screen. Mighty Wurlitzer

Jill Witecki Theatre Organ. with Tampa The- Tampa Theatre said, “Last atre will present summer, with After missing the 29th year of the Summer Classics Movie Citizen Kane on Tampa Theatre Series due to COVID-19 shutdown, Tampa’s majestic Sunday, June closed during the pandemic, the 29th annual movie palace, Tampa Teatre, is bringing back a great lineup of favorite flms along with a long-awaited request from fans: more than one showing of each flm. 27 at 3 p.m. and Thursday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Summer Classics series did not happen. This war classic Glory will be shown on Sunday, year, as people start to return to their fa- July 4 at 3 p.m. and again on Thursday, July vorite leisure activities again, we hope that 8 at 7:30 p.m. this year’s lineup of all-time favorite Sum- You can also see the Hitchcock thriller mer Classics—along with our reduced ca- North by Northwest on Sunday, July 11 at 3 pacity and other safety precautions—may p.m. Tampa Theatre will present it again on encourage our friends and fans to make Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. their post-shutdown ‘First Movie Back’ a Tampa Theatre will present the comedy classic at Tampa Theatre.” classic The Big Lebowski on Sunday, July 18

Something that fans have been asking for at 3 p.m. and then again on Thursday, July is going to be ofered this year: Tampa The- 22 at 7:30 p.m. atre is ofering each Summer Classic more Tickets for Summer Classics films are than once. Films will be shown both on Sun- $10 at the historic Franklin Street Box Ofday at 3 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. on the fice, $12 if purchased online ($7 for memfollowing Thursday evening. bers). Silent films are $13 at the box ofce

On Sunday, June 20 at 3 p.m., come out or $15 online ($10 for members). For more to see the 1925 silent comedy The Gold information, please visit www.tampatheRush. If you miss the Sunday show, see it on atre.org.