The Apopka Blue Darter Baseball program has years of legendary history behind it. When opposing teams see Apopka on their schedule, they know it’s not going to be easy no matter who’s on the roster. This year’s team looks to add to the program’s already quality resume.

Currently, the team holds a 8-1 record and is ranked as the #20 team in the state of Florida, #6 in Florida 7A, and #2 in Orlando. They were the only unbeaten team in the state before Tuesday’s loss vs Dr. Phillips. The team has started out strong this year on both sides of the ball with a .328 batting average(0.277 national average) and a 1.47 ERA(5.1 national average). Apopka’s offensive attack is lead by IF/DH junior KJ Durand who is batting an outstanding .700 on the year. Other notable hitters in this year’s lineup are junior 3B Jacob Meyer who is batting .450, junior RHP/OF Anthony Devita who is batting .360, and junior 2B Jeremy Pabon who is batting .409. Through the works of these guys along with the others, the offense has been able to total 65 runs(40 national average), 79 hits(44 national average), and 53 runs batted in(30 national average). These stats speak as to why our Blue Darter baseball team is off to one of the best starts in program history.

The offense isn’t the only thing that has sparked the team’s success in the early part of the season. This year’s pitching staff is lead by senior LHP Larson McMaster (Daytona State Baseball signee) who has an ERA of 0.68 and a 3-0 record in games he has started. He also has only allowed 12 hits and struck out 26 batters in 20.2 innings pitched and 85 batters faced. Other members of the blue darter pitching staff include junior RHP Anthony Devita (1.45 ERA, 10Ks), senior LHP Gavin Serwe (4.20 ERA, 8Ks), junior RHP Skylar Stinson (1.79 ERA, 18Ks), and junior LHP Jake Kirkland (2.1 ERA, 7Ks). These pitchers have an above average defense behind them led by senior OF Anthony Demilio, junior 3B Jacob Myerer, junior C TJ Burske, senior SS Jacob Pino (Thomasville University Baseball signee), junior 2B Jeremy Pablon, senior OF Gabriel Lebron, junior OF/1B Brady Roberts, senior OF Winston Williams, and junior 1B Donovan Murdock who all have an .800 or above fielding percentage. The team has compiled a total FP of .921 and 16 errors. This year’s squad has a complete team with the ability to change the game on both sides of the ball.

The 2022 Apopka Baseball Team started off the season with 7 consecutive wins against Lake Minneola (6-1), Eustis (5-4, 8XI), Tavares (12-2), East Ridge (5-0), DeLand (8-3), University (5-4), and Lake Mary (5-3). Dr. Phillips gave them their first loss of the season in a tough 9-7 contest. The team bounced back from this loss in Wednesday’s away game vs Boone High School with a final score of 12-3. With 17 games remaining, the team hopes to finish the season with only one loss on their record.

Remaining schedule as of Friday, March 25th:

3/29 @ Timber Creek

3/30 vs Lake Howell

4/1 vs West Orange

4/5 @ Olympia

4/6 vs Seminole

4/8 vs Windermere

4/11 vs Olympia

4/13 @ Ocoee

4/14 vs Tavares

4/15 @ Evans

4/18 @ Edgewater

4/19 vs The Villages

4/20 vs Horizon

4/26 vs Winter Park

4/27 @ Lake Nona

4/28 @ Hagerty

The Blue and White were able to get in touch with a few of the senior players and ask them some questions.

What are your thoughts on the season?

Anthony Demilio: I think this season has given Apopka an opportunity to put ourselves back on the map. The team we have now has been able to come together and prove why we’re a top baseball school.

Jacob Pino: I think we are a solid group that are overlooked but show out when something needs to be done.

Winston Williams: The season is going good we came out strong.

Gavin Serwe: This season has been very unexpected for other people. After losing a lot of talented players, no one expected us to be any good. However, we know we could win any game if we played like a team.

What is your favorite memory from the season?

Anthony Demilio: My favorite memory would have to be getting the last out against University. The tension was high and we were able to stay strong and prevail.

Jacob Pino: When we won the University game and everyone got hype at the end.

Winston Williams: My favorite memory is us celebrating when Anthony Devita hit the game winning run in to take the lead.

Gavin Serwe: My favorite memory from this season was definitely winning the Deland game. It was our first district game, and we made a statement.

What do you enjoy most about playing baseball?

Anthony Demilio: I enjoy the connections I’m able to make with all the people I meet. Some of my closest friends have come through this sport and I wouldn’t have rather played anything else.

Jacob Pino: The hard work that no one sees get put in place on the field.

Winston Williams: I enjoy how competitive the sport is.

Gavin Serwe: I enjoy playing the game with my best friends everyday. The game will always be fun when you have guys like these around you.

The Blue and White was also able to get in touch with head coach Bobby Brewer along with assistant coach and coach and head pitching coach Steve Stowell to get their thoughts on the team.

What are your thoughts on the season so far?

Bobby Brewer: We are 8-1 at this time so I am happy with what the boys have done so far. We are playing a very tough schedule but our guys will be up to the challenge.

Steve Stowell: I feel that the team has been playing well with solid pitching and defense, with some timely hitting.  The players are playing together as a team.  Look forward to rest of season.

If you had to award an Offensive MVP, who would it be? Defensive?

Bobby Brewer: The Offensive player would be KJ Durand since he is hitting close to .500 on the season and has been our go to guy. TJ Burske has done an incredible job for us at the catching position; he blocks everything and has done a great job throwing out runners.

Steve Stowell: Offensive would be KJ Durand, defensive would be whole team, they have been steady with everyone involved.

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Bobby Brewer: I enjoy watching our players grow not just as players but as young men.

Steve Stowell: Seeing the players develop on and off the field.

How long have you been coaching?

Bobby Brewer: 28 years.

Steve Stowell: 25 years, which includes High School, College and youth level, all while playing professionally baseball and since living in Orlando since 1990.

Where have you coached before Apopka?

Bobby Brewer: I have coached at West Orange , Ocoee and Olympia .

Steve Stowell: Youth/HS Travel ball in Orlando, Pine Castle HS, Bishop Moore HS, Edgewater HS, presently Florida Collegiate Summer League and now here at Apopka in my 5^th year.

The Apopka Blue Darter baseball team still has a long ways to go in their season and a tough slate of games but they are not going let this get in the way of their goals for the season. If you can catch a game or two, they would greatly appreciate your support.