Wrap up SPORTS

BY CARL KOTALA

If having 12 seniors on their roster doesn’t give the Viera Hawks an edge over the rest of the competition this season, maybe this number will:

Meet the

Ninety.

As in a 90 mile-an-hour fastball. Times three.

“It’s pretty rare. … I mean, you usually have one guy who throws 90 every four or five years. One guy. And we’ve got three,” Viera baseball coach Brock Doty said. “They’ve definitely gotten the experience now.

“Dylan Jordan has been outstanding. He committed to Florida State. He’s 93, 94. (Camden) Wicker is right there, 90, 92. And (Lucas Glendinning) is right up there with them. Overall, it’s one thing to throw hard, but you’ve got to be able to know how to pitch. Compared to last year, we’re even better.”

Make no doubt about it … the Hawks have their sights set on getting back to Fort Myers and coming away with what would be the first state championship in program history. And they think they have the arms to get it done.

“It definitely makes you feel confident going into this year,” Wicker said. “I mean, just the sheer factor of having three people who can all throw in the 90s is great. For depth during the season … we don’t have to ride everybody as long. We can trust each other. I’m definitely excited about that factor for sure.”

The depth of Viera’s arm talent doesn’t just end with the Hawks’ Big Three. Senior Jack Malatino will also see some time on the mound, junior Cameron Simpkins will be one of the first calls to the bullpen and sophomore lefty Brennan Confreda will also be a weapon whether starting or relieving. Sophomore Caden Jensen has been a big surprise this spring and another sophomore, David Mastrolanardo, will also contribute.

While Viera has had senior-heavy teams before, the unique facet about this one, Doty said, is that all 12 will be big contributors this season.

Senior Alex Sosa is the No.

1 rated catcher in the state according to the scouting service Perfect Game. The rest of Viera’s starting lineup will be made up of seniors Fano Cruz (1B); Kyler Dwiggins (2B); Adriel Torres (SS); Cole Smith (3B); Luke Campbell (LF); Malatino (CF) and either Logan Keith or Ryan Lewis in right.

Senior Blake Strode will get time behind the plate along with sophomore Jay Fowler. Glendinning, also a senior, will be the designated hitter when he’s not pitching.

Junior Evan Lipski, sophomore Dominic Leoni and junior Mikey Schmidt will see time in the outfield and contribute in other ways.

“Obviously, Alex is going to be in the middle of our lineup,” Doty said. “Luke Campbell is going to be another big bat. And Glendinning will be right there. If we can get some other guys to contribute … I think that’s where our senior leadership is going to come in. They’re not going to be denied.”

Viera’s senior class is definitely ready to make this year one to remember.

“Most of us have been playing together since T-ball, since (we were) 6 years old,” Glendinning said. “We’ve been best friends for our entire lives. I feel like we’ve all molded into one person as a team. We all know what our individual parts are and we’re all ready to go attack with those individual parts.” VV