All-Area baseball: Tim Stoops, St. Andrew's, small schools player of the year

Saturday, June 04, 2011
by Matt Porter

No area team started its season better than St. Andrew's, thanks to ace Tim Stoops.

The senior right-hander was unhittable in the Scots' opener against Miami-Archbishop Curley. He struck out 15 and was a walk shy of a perfect game in a 10-0, five-inning victory.

"That set the tone for the season," St. Andrew's coach George Sands said. "From there, he was lights out."

Stoops was the biggest reason St. Andrew's (20-6) set a program record for victories. He struck out 12 and allowed two hits in the Scots' season finale against Hollywood-Sheridan Hills Christian. His loss to Plantation-American Heritage in the regional semifinals didn't take away from a standout season.

Stoops allowed more than two hits in a start just twice. He pitched 1-2-3 innings in 25 of his 42 innings. He struck out 110 batters and walked just six. He finished the regular season with an 8-1 record and an 0.47 ERA, forming a dominant duo with his twin brother, Dan (5-2, 1.16). Tim also hit .372 with 26 RBI, tied with junior Danny Young for best on the team.

"You know what you're going to get when you give him the ball. He pounds the zone, and he's fearless," Sands said.

"He's the most dominant pitcher I've ever coached," Sands said.

Stoops had Tommy John surgery two years ago. After a year of rehab, he pitched in prospect camp last summer. A scout from the University of Massachusetts saw him and his brother throw. Shortly after, both brothers were offered scholarships to play for the Minutemen.

With a scholarship reward coming after a grueling rehab, no wonder Stoops was fired up about his senior season. No doubt, he and his brother will try to set the tone at UMass next year.

"We're ready for it," Tim said.

~matt_porter@pbpost.com

FIRST TEAM

Jacob O'Keefe

American Heritage

Sr. C

Stallions' leader hit .404 with 6 HRs and threw out 65 percent of would-be base stealers.

Shane Osborn

Cardinal Newman

Sr. IF

Posted team highs in batting average (.449), HRs (four) and RBI (20).

Tyler LeCroy

Glades Day

Sr. IF

Carried Gators all season, tied for team lead in batting average (.514).

Danny Young

St. Andrew's

Jr. IF

Despite hip injury, led area in HRs (10) and tied for batting average (.565).

Kevin Stypulkowski

King's Academy

Jr. IF

Florida commit was rock-solid defensively, and batted .433.

Alex Leighton

American Heritage

Sr. IF

Big (6-foot-5) cleanup man hit .441, pitched and played first and second base.

Constantine Gavrilos

Boca Raton Christian

Sr., OF

Speedy player who hit .479 with eight triples, 15 stolen bases and 29 RBI.

Timmy Williams

Summit Christian

Sr. IF/OF

Hit .419 and excelled at short, second and outfield for Class 1A champs.

Kody Ruedesili

Benjamin

Soph. OF

Young standout hit .432 with 11 steals and played spectacular defense.

Dan Stoops

St. Andrew's

Sr. P

UMass-bound, he went 5-2 with 1.16 ERA, with 81 strikeouts. Also hit .385.

Billy Strode

American Heritage

Sr. P

Unbeaten (8-0) during regular season, posting 1.49 ERA and 56 strikeouts.

John Costa

Summit Christian

Sr. P

Florida International signee went 5-1, 2.39, led team to Class 1A state title.

SECOND TEAM

C: Phildrick Llewellyn, Trinity Christian, Jr.

IF: Ronnie Glenn, Pope John Paul II

IF: Colton Coates, Glades Day, Jr.

IF: Ryan Krance, King's Academy, Sr.

IF: David Weil, Boca Raton Christian, Sr.

IF/OF: Jack Sheehy, St. Andrew's, Jr.

OF: Shaquille Rolle, American Heritage, Jr.

OF: Dylan Arnold, American Heritage, Jr.

OF: Tony Ballew, Jupiter Christian, Jr.

P: Matt Leber, King's Academy, Sr.

P: Alexander Rodriguez, Trinity Christian, Sr.

P: Jack English, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

American Heritage – Dylan Silva, Trevor Maloney, Josh Silverman, Michael Shephard, Jon Spada, Christian Thompson; Benjamin – Christian Berger, Matt Harris, D.J. Paone, Jonathan Pavlov, Bennett Sousa, Kristian True; Boca Raton Christian – Sam Etter, Cole Strandberg; Cardinal Newman – Phil Lewis, Andrew Maniotis; Clewiston – Martin Crawford, J.J. Rodriguez, Cody Thomas; Glades Day – John Barr; Jupiter Christian – Brandon Cormier; King's Academy – Mark Babrick, John Carpenter; Lake Worth Christian – Ryan Adair, Tom Burnett, Connor Milligan; Okeechobee – Tyler Barber, Kevin Christensen, Richard Donegan, Brandon Farless, Tyler Finney; Pope John Paul II – Robert Gerdung, Mike Luzzi, Alex Sadusky; St. Andrew's – Justin Valente, Zach Zehring; Summit Christian – Franklin Diaz, Sam Murphy, Matt Rogers, Efren Sanchez, John Silviano, Shane Swanson; Trinity Christian – Byron Murray, Darren Seferina; Wellington Christian – Robbie Pettet, Nick Potenza.

COACH OF THE YEAR

John Drouin

Summit Christian

Led Saints to second state title and kept team focused in spite of school's uncertain future.

BEST OF THE TREASURE COAST

Centennial – Kristian Romance; Community Christian – Matt Bell, Jerome Jones, Alex Roberts, Fendi Rolle; Fort Pierce Central – Vinnie Lucera, Sam Vaughn; Jensen Beach – Artur Cary; John Carroll – Richard Harrell, Sterling Koerner, Casey Scoggins, Tommy Smith, Sam Taylor; Lincoln Park Academy – Trevor Alley, Brandon Lewis, Eric Shea, Luke Stewart; Martin County – A.J. Fabrizio, Steven Fleming, Danny Hudzina, James Vasquez, Jeremy Vasquez; Port St. Lucie – Cory Reid, Kyle Romstadt; South Fork – James Baggs, Nick Cincotta, Mike Nessel, Nico Slater, Cory Slater, Brian Woody; Treasure Coast – Joe Marotta, Phil Naclerio, Alvin Swoope. Most Valuable Player: Gio Alfonso, Lincoln Park Academy.