Mitchell

At a glance

Coach: Howard Chittum

Class: 6A, District 5

Last season: 17-9

Key players: 1B Vince Celiberti, Sr.; RHP Trevor Harrison, Sr.; 3B Logan Koslin, So.; UTIL Christian Madeira, Sr.; SS Aidan Miller, Sr.; RHP/OF Chase Nystrom, Jr.; UTIL Trevor Wesley, Jr. 

Schedule

Feb. 20 vs. Dunedin, 7 (Steve Georgiadis Tournament)

Feb. 21-24 Seminole’s Steve Georgiadis Tournament

Feb. 28 at Jesuit, 7

Mar. 3 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic, 7

Mar. 7 at Sunlake, 7

Mar. 9 vs. Sunlake, 7

Mar. 10 vs. Palmetto, 7

Mar. 13 vs. Lecanto, 4 (tournament)

Mar. 21 vs. Wiregrass Ranch, 7

Mar. 24 at Wiregrass Ranch, 7

Mar. 28 vs. Land O’ Lakes, 7:30

Mar. 30 vs. East Lake, 7

Mar. 31 at Land O’ Lakes, 7

Apr. 4 at Lakeland George Jenkins, 7:30

Apr. 6 vs. Seminole, 7:45

Apr. 11 vs. Fivay, 7:30

Apr. 14 at River Ridge, 7

Apr. 18 vs. IMG Black, 7:30

Apr. 20 vs. Springstead, 7

Apr. 25 at Wesley Chapel, 7

Apr. 27 vs. IMG Academy, 7

Outlook

The Mustangs have gone through some agonizing results in the region semifinals the last two seasons, losing to state champion Bloomingdale in 2021 and to state semifinalist Sickles last season. 

Each game was decided by a run. 

To reverse that trend, Mitchell will rely heavily on the offensive production of Aidan Miller, an Arkansas signee who is projected to go in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. 

Last season, Miller hit .403 with three homers and 16 RBIs. No other returner who played in more than half of the games a year ago hit above .250. 

But there is plenty of potential. 

Koslin drove in 14 runs last season. Madeira was not too far behind at 11. 

On the mound, the Mustangs have to replace Ashton Crowther, Jace Trautner and Nicholas Delnegro, all of whom graduated. 

The ace is Trevor Harrison, a Florida State signee who had a 1.01 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 41 ⅔ innings. Others who will have prominent roles on the staff include Chase Nystrom, a UCF commit, and Madeira. 

Mitchell will be challenged. The schedule includes games against Dunedin, Jesuit and IMG Academy. 

That should prepare the Mustangs to get back that region semifinal stumbling back if they get that far.