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Suncoast Pinellas News

Maturing East Lake Eagles Prepared To Make District Run

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: February 21, 2009

EAST LAKE - Most of the names remain the same, but the potential for success among returning East Lake High School baseball players is what will be markedly different this season.

The 11 sophomores who were mostly inexperienced and learning to play at the varsity level are now seasoned juniors ready to take command of a team with district championship potential.

Many observers may point out difficulties achieving such a goal because East Lake shares the Class 5A, District 9 standings with last year's state champion, Dunedin High School. The Falcons are expected to be a quality team, but they are a polar opposite of East Lake in regards to retained experience. That could play to the Eagles' advantage, said second-year head coach Mike White.

"The overall feeling is good with six seniors and 11 juniors who got significant amounts of playing time last year."

All-around inconsistency - either on the mound, at the plate or in the field - hampered East Lake's 11-18 campaign last season as the Eagles went through expected growing pains. That negative element should be gone, White said, especially in the batter's box.

"The thing with this year is that we feel we're going to swing it better than we have in the past," he said.

That was evident during the Eagles' regular season home opener Tuesday night when East Lake came from behind with six runs in the final two innings to beat Tampa's Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School, 10-9.

Juniors Will Fulmer, Tyler Kellmann, Lincoln Dunham and Drew Posavec will be expected to carry much of the offensive load.

Adding to the batting order's potency, White said, he typically will have at least four lefties in his lineup on game day.

East Lake's depth carries over to the mound, with juniors Brian Johnson and Taylor Lesch and senior Nick Franz projected to log the most starts. Cody Alessi and Nick Papa will give White senior leadership out of the bullpen and for spot starts.

The pitching staff's biggest asset will be its ability to pound the strike zone, White said.

"Just like any team any year, if you can go out and throw strikes and play defense, you give yourself a chance to win every game."

With the District 5A-9 field appearing more open than it has in years, White said he likes this team's chances as long as it stays focused on its priorities.

"I'm feeling pretty good in our district. I don't think anyone's going to run away with anything, so we've got to go out and battle everyday," he said.

"We're really trying to get these guys to focus on our team and that we can't control how other teams perform."

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