[ot-caption title=”Pine Crest defeated the reigning state champion Calvary Christian Eagles on Saturday, March 4. (via Sophie Glassman, junior)”][spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

The Pine Crest Varsity Baseball team has had a great start to their season, winning both of their district games so far and maintaining a 5-1 record overall. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Senior Andrew Bell spoke about the team’s early success, “We are playing really good baseball because we have come together as a team. Our success stems off our connection with each other and the will to work for a district title and more.”[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Bell is not alone. Many other members of the team have high aspirations for Pine Crest Baseball this season based on the way the team has performed in these first six games. Pine Crest has outscored its opponents 24-11 due to incredible pitching from Jordan Schulefand, Sam Wurth, Maxx Estrin, and Jake Solomon coupled with outstanding results at the plate by Vanderbilt commit Ryan Keenan. Keenan bats an impressive .700 so far on the season with seven hits on ten at bats. He also has five RBI (runs batted in).[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Jordan Schulefand, Pine Crest pitcher, outfielder, and Richmond baseball commit, is hopeful Pine Crest’s talent will continue to excel.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

“Right now, we are focusing on winning the district title for the first time in three decades. Obviously our main goal, though, is to win a state championship, and I think that if we continue to play the way we have been playing, we will have a real chance at the title. We’re a tight knit group, and it would be awesome to win both the district and state title with the boys.”[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

The “tight knit group” that Schulefand references not only includes the players on the field but also the athletes on the bench. Senior Max Rubinoff talked about this aspect of the game as well.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

“Every good team has good players, but great teams have even better benches. Being loud throughout the duration of the game is something we take pride in because we fuel the guys out on the field.”[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

On the field, Pine Crest showcases a special variety of college ready talent. Catcher Michael Rothenberg is one of four players committed to play division one baseball in college. He will take his talents to Duke next season and join a team that already features two former Panthers, Zack Kone and Griffin Conine. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Pitcher Sam Wurth will play baseball at Lehigh University next spring, and Jordan Schulefand will join the Richmond team. Both Jake Kessinger and Jacob Singer will attend and play for Emory University. Finally, sophomore Ryan Keenan is committed to Vanderbilt to play for the powerhouse Commodores. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Be sure to cheer on the players along side the bench at their upcoming games this Tuesday, March 14 at North Broward Prep and this Thursday, March 16 v. Cardinal Gibbons at home. The Panthers look ready to deliver a championship this year.