FL Preseason Previews: Taravella, Mandarin, Titusville, Chaminade

January 6, 2020
Doug Freeman/Rocco Iervasi
Florida Executive Director/ Director of Operations

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Prior to that, we will break down some other teams across the state and what to watch for.

Team: Chaminade Madonna College Prep
2019 Record: 6-14
FHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Dan Scott
Playoff Run: 1st Round Districts
Returning Starters: 9

OUTLOOK

Chaminade Madonna has a good mix of young and older talent. This team will rely on it’s defense and ability to get clutch hits. They have a good mix of right and left handed pitchers that do a good job of throwing strikes and mixing speeds to keep hitters off balance. They will look to North Alabama signee Hunter Fiori and Barton College signee Ryan Drag to lead the way in 2020.

Team: Titusville
2019 Record: 17-9
FHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Jack Bercaw
Playoff Run: 1st Round Regionals
Returning Starters: 6

OUTLOOK

Titusville has a great group of baseball players, according to head coach Jack Bercaw, who will get a lot better as the season progresses. The teams goal is to finish in the top two heading into the district tournament, as they were first in the district in 2019. Titusville will look to Jason Woodward to lead the way for them in 2020.

Team: Mandarin

2019 Record: 16-10
FHSAA Class: 7A
Head Coach: Matt Miller
Playoff Run: Regional Quarterfinal
Returning Starters: 8

OUTLOOK

Mandarian looks to first year head coach Matt Miller to lead a group of young talent, with good potential, but unproven on the field. Miller will look to Ty Jackson and Ayden Sciandra to lead the way in 2020.

Team: Taravella

2019 Record: 14-8
FHSAA Class: 7A
Head Coach: Joe Giummule
Playoff Run: District Quarterfinal
Returning Starters: 11

OUTLOOK

Coach Joe Giummule believes he has a gritty, hard nosed team that does all the little right, buys in and finds away to win. Taravella will be led by a pair of Dominican College commits in Stefano Libio and Nate Slotkin as well as transfer Brandon Nunez in 2020.