by Joseph Langan
With a record of 20-3, Coach Tom Tuttle and his Division High School Dragons found themselves playing for the Class A County Championship title for the second consecutive year. Riding hot on a nine-game winning streak Division seemed unstoppable, that was until they matched up with the Clarke High School Rams. Clarke put out Division’s fire in the best of three title games.
Coach Tuttle, disappointed by the leadership in his key senior players, knows that to be successful a good core of leaders is one of the most important parts of his team.
“We played our two worst games at the most important time of the year. After our loss to Clarke in the finals last season the major issue we had was a direct result of the poor leadership from some of our seniors. We had some seniors that were immature and selfish. Their lack of character showed itself on the biggest stage.”
While Coach Tuttle was upset at some of his seniors, the talent they brought to the team was undeniable and will leave some holes for the Dragons this season. Colin Diez (Queens College) and Nick Giovanakis are two guys that Coach Tuttle described as “outstanding” and will be tough shoes to fill. Diez and Giovanakis, who were two of the league’s best outfielders dominated for Division. Diez played his way to become the league MVP with his stellar play on the mound and in the outfield while his counterpart Giovanakis, found himself on the All-County Team. Along with his two big seniors, Coach Tuttle needs to piece his rotation back together for the 2020 season due to the graduation of two of his starters. The gap these players leave is large but Coach Tuttle believes that his returners will be able to get the ship back on course.
Division will see four starters from the county finals team back in 2020, each of them knowing that they must be better leaders than the previous class. Coach Tuttle explained, “the day after we lost we conducted our exit interviews with the returning players and drilled home the importance of leadership.” All-Conference two way guy Jake Lombardi (Montevallo Alabama), All league first baseman Mike Sullivan, All League outfielder Myles Scarry, and shortstop Nick Roselli (Sacred Heart) will all be tasked to live up to Coach Tuttle’s expectations and lead the team back to the county finals.
Division has a lot of motivation going into the 2020 season, Coach Tuttle has his eyes on the championship but his main goal is to improve every one of his players. “Player development is a lost art with kids, being heavy on game play and light on practice. If my coaching staff and I can improve all our players not just returners, then we will be on the right track to succeed.”
Coach Tuttle cares about every single one of his players that comes through his program, knowing that there is a next chapter for many of them in their baseball careers. The Division Dragons and its group of talented leaders are eager to avenge their heartbreaking loss and start the season as spring creeps closer and closer.
