Bulls take control of rivalry game

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By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent Published: March 9, 2016TBO.com


Bloomingdale High School’s Bulls gained an early advantage against the Brandon High Eagles with Cody Wilson’s two-run double on March 1.

But some players say the real advantage for the team, led by head coach Kris Wilken, is the winning attitude.

The March 1 non-conference game at Brandon High concluded in a 3-1 victory for the Bulls.

Austin James, 18, a Bloomingdale senior who plays shortstop for the Bulls, walked after teammate Nikko Levine had a single to get the momentum going.

“I believe that our biggest competitor is ourselves, and if we don’t beat ourselves with mental mistakes and play the game how we know we can play we can beat any team on the other side of the field,” James said. “The strong point in our team is our team chemistry and how we would do anything for our brothers that keeps us focused on the main goal and that’s winning and becoming better each day.”

James said his goals this season include not only winning a state title but being a good teammate.

“The best part about playing shortstop to me is that the ball is most commonly hit there, and in big situations when the game is on the line I like being the player who gets the ball and my teammates can rely on,” James said.

He gives much of the credit for the team’s success to the coaches, including head coach Wilken, who spent six seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization, reaching AAA, or one stop shy of the majors, in 2005, his final season with the Orioles.

“Coach Wilken has taught me how to lead a team as a senior even if it’s not always yelling at a teammate to pick it up when he is in the wrong, but that I can lead quietly (and) others will follow,” James said. “I admire most about him is his relentless desire to win and his selflessness for others.”

Antonio James, the father of Austin, cheered on his son at the recent rival game against Brandon. He said his son already signed a letter of intent to play for Florida International University.

Wilken said other key players this year are also committed to various colleges. Notable players include senior catcher Chase Lackmann, who is committed to Rollins College; senior pitcher Carson Crouse; junior second baseman Wilson, who is committed to The University of North Carolina at Asheville and junior center fielder Nate Chevalier.

“Former standouts are 2010 graduate Sal Giardina, Jr., (catcher in the Atlanta Braves organization), 2012 graduate Richie Martin (UF alum and 20th overall pick of the 2015 draft by Oakland) and 2015 graduate Logan Crouse (pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization),” Wilken said.

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