By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Is The Top Ranked Baseball Team in Lake & Sumter County
The MDCA Baseball team has been a dominant force throughout the season, showcasing exceptional talent and teamwork on the field. As they enter the final stretch of the regular season, the team faces tough competition as they aim for a district championship title. Scheduled games include matchups against Eustis, Umatilla, South Lake, and Tampa Prep, promising exciting battles ahead. The team is currently ranked #7 in Class 2A and #65 in the state of Florida.
The senior class at MDCA has been instrumental in the team’s success, with players like Bryan Shutte leading the offensive charge. Shutte boasts an impressive 19 RBIs and 21 hits this season, demonstrating his skill at the plate. Cael Reish has also been a standout performer, contributing 15 RBIs, 21 hits, and leading the team in runs scored with 17.
Among the younger talents, sophomore Jacob Hair has been turning heads with a stellar .382 batting average and 17 RBIs. His 13 hits and 11 runs scored showcase his consistency and impact on the team’s offensive efforts. Together, these players form a formidable lineup that keeps opponents on their toes.
The pitching staff at MDCA has been equally impressive, with Ethan Priest leading the charge with a commitment to Air Force. Priest’s 42 strikeouts highlight his dominance on the mound, while sophomore Jordan Livingston has also been a force to be reckoned with, tallying 35 strikeouts and conceding only 17 runs throughout the season.
Head coach Jason Sanders has praised the team’s cohesion and camaraderie, noting that their bond off the field has translated into exceptional performance on game days. With a strong 14-5 record and a #7 ranking in Class 2A, MDCA is poised for success as they head into the district tournament and playoffs. Their #65 ranking statewide marks them as a top contender in Class 2A with high expectations for a playoff run and potential state championship aspirations.
As the regular season winds down, MDCA Baseball stands as a prime example of dedication, talent, and teamwork in pursuit of athletic excellence. We have enjoyed watching this team all season long. They are really coming together strong down the home stretch of the regular season. Go Bulldogs!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
