After winning back-to-back Orange Belt Conference championships, there is no reason not to believe Harmony will once again challenge for OBC supremacy in 2025.
Coach Heath Williams returns some outstanding players, including outfielder Samuel Castillo, who hit .343 last season, with a county-leading six home runs and 21 RBI. Clayton Williams (.388) is a terrific contact hitter and pitcher Ismeal Rivera is another All-County player that returns for his senior year.
The Longhorns pitching staff is strong. Senior Alexavier Lebron had injury issues at the end of last year but appears to be totally healthy this season – joining Rivera to give Harmony a strong 1-2 punch at the top. Trevin Bean and Eduardo Vasquez join the staff from the junior varsity; while freshmen Riley Bonini (1-0, 2.10 ERA) and Raul Romay (1-0, 2.10) have shown early promise.
“We graduated 10 players, nine of which moved on to college baseball,” Williams said of his team that is off to a 5-1 start this year. “We had some good players move up from the junior varsity and looks like we also have some really talented freshmen that are ready to contribute. We return six starters on defense and to be honest, this could be the most talented Harmony team I have had since my arrival. We have set our expectations and goals high for this season.”
The Longhorns have already beaten rivals Osceola and St. Cloud in a red-hot 8-1 start.
Coach David Blackmore’s St. Cloud Bulldogs, who have won six of their first eight this year, return all-county sophomore catcher Sammy Echeverry, who is hitting .526 with 11 RBI through those eight games. All-county outfielder Josh Bejarano (.338 in 2024) returns; as does Echeverry’s older brother Sebastian, a “Swiss-Army Knife” junior who can pitch, catch or play third. Sean Gallagher (54 strikeouts in 38.1 innings) returns at the top of the rotation; while the Echeverry’s, Aiden Peguaro, Luis Ecarri and Aiden Lewis will also see time on the mound.
“We definitely have some talent,” Blackmore said. “If we can get that talent to gel, we have a chance tom make a run at districts and regionals this year.”
Traditionally, Osceola has been one of the top high school teams of late, averaging 16 wins per season outside the COVID year. from 2015-23. Osceola slipped to 10-12 last season and second-year coach Nikko Martell says Osceola is a young team this year.
Martel is hopeful captains Yamil Santiago (C) and Josber Freitez (P/INF) can hold his team together while that young talent matures. Look for freshmen Joshua Sanchez (OF/LHP) and Jacob Ramos (OF/LHP) and Liberty transfer Adrian Sanchez (1B/OF) to contribute early. That youth and a tough schedule have the Kowboys 1-5 heading into this week.
Armando Perez posted a winning season (13-11) in his first year at Tohopekaliga in 2024 and counts on senior and 2024 All-County selection Hudson Moberly (hitting .333 this year) and Fernando Ferrer (.412) Look sophomores Alex Roman and Anthony Marmolejos to help rebuild a pitching staff hit hard by graduation.
“We graduated some good players, but I believe we have maybe the most athletic team in school history,” Perez said. “We have worked extremely hard in the off-season and expect to be a contender in our district.”
Veteran Celebration Coach Ed Kuzma returns six senior starters: Ciro Yanez (C), Jay Berrios (OF/P), David Sevilla (P/OF) , Alejandro Moreno (OF, hitting .412), Jesus Cabaracas (P) and Luis Velez (1B). Bishop Moore transfer Mike Moskovitz (1B/DH) and Elias Rodriguez (2B) from Osceola have also figured into a 4-3 start.
“Consistency will be our key this year,” Kuzma said. “We cannot rely on one or two players to carry us and it will have to be a total team effort. We start three sophomores and have a relatively new pitching staff so I am hopeful that our eight senior will be able to provide leadership to the younger guys.”
Edgardo Vazqueztell continues to rebuild at Gateway. the program at Gateway. He says his first-year pitchers Ian Colon and Malcol Santiago, who has started the year 2-0 with 31 strikeouts in 17 innings, will upgrade his staff and will rely on returning starters Kaleb Bermudez (3B), Diego Vazqueztell (SS/2B/P) and Romeo Delgado (OF/RHP) will be key members of the starting lineup.
Up from JV’s, catcher Adrian Just was hitting .600 through the first four games as the Panthers started the season 3-1 after finishing 6-16 a year ago.
Poinciana coach Derek Petrangeli will look for position players Christian Dawkins, Diego Vellajos and Miquel Feliciano; as well as pitchers Johan Morales and Joel Arroyo to help turnaround a squad coming off a 2-15 year.
First-year head coach Tyler Gonzalez looks to turn around Liberty; the FHSAA ruled over half their 2024 team ineligible. That resulted in a starting lineup of almost all freshmen and sophomores resulting in a 3-19 record. Matt Conde (1B/P/OF) and Sebastian Rodriguez OF/INF/P) should provide some stability for the Chargers.
