Four Orlando area baseball teams are packing their bags for Fort Myers, ready to compete in the FHSAA state baseball final four starting Thursday. The lineup includes 7A Hagerty, 5A Winter Springs, 4A Bishop Moore, and 1A Orangewood Christian—each bringing their own story of grit and determination to the diamond.
Hagerty (22-8) and Orangewood Christian (26-3) are no strangers to the "City of Palms," having made the trip last year. Hagerty fell to Jupiter 6-4, while Orangewood dropped a heartbreaker 3-2 in eight innings to Fort Myers' own Canterbury. This time around, coaches are banking on that experience to make a difference.
"This year, we go in with a bunch of sophomores and juniors who got a taste of it last season," said Hagerty coach Mike Sindone. "Once you experience postseason play, you really want to get back down there. Hopefully, we can be a little more successful this year."
Leading Hagerty's charge is star left-hander Isaias Torres, who boasts a 7-4 record on the mound and packs a punch at the plate with 9 doubles, 4 home runs, and 23 RBIs. Noah Adkins (6-2) adds depth to the pitching staff, while leadoff hitter and second baseman Carlos Cruz sets the table with a .327 average and 29 runs scored.
Winter Springs (25-6) is making its second-ever appearance in the state final four, following a 2-0 semifinal loss to Sickles in 2023. As the state's No. 1-ranked team in 5A, the Bears lean heavily on a trio of senior right-handed pitchers: Robbie Mungovan, Tyler Kenast, and Tripp Rosenberger. Kenast, a Texas Tech signee, is 7-1 on the season. Mungovan (6-0) is headed to New College of Florida, and Rosenberger (6-0) will play at Northwest Florida State College.
"I call them the three horsemen," said Winter Springs coach Mike Bradley. "They've kept us in games against everybody. Except for Saturday's 12-2 loss to Wesley Chapel, our worst loss was by just two runs." Kenast was instrumental in the Bears' playoff run, and the team's depth on the mound has been a key factor all season.
As these four teams prepare to take the field in Fort Myers, fans can expect high-energy matchups and plenty of drama. Whether it's Hagerty's seasoned sophomores, Orangewood's hunger for redemption, or Winter Springs' dominant pitching, the Orlando area is well-represented in this year's state baseball final four.