Cold outside? SJCDS practices

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com

Posted 1/25/25

ORANGE PARK - After a thrilling baseball state title season last year, St. Johns Country Day School coach Tom Lucas was set to brave some bitterly cold afternoons to keep his upcoming team sharp to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Don't have an ID?

Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

St. Johns Country Day School Baseball

Cold outside? SJCDS practices

Returning catcher Hunter Rodgers is tough wall behind the plate and a top hitter for St. Johns Country Day School lineup.

Staff photos by Randy Lefko

Two key players for defense of the Spartans title will be Hunter Rodgers, left, and T.J. Sunderhaus.

St. Johns Country Day School baseball coach Tom Lucas has four Final Four finishes with last year's team getting the coveted Class 2A title, the first baseball title from Clay County.

Outfielder Nick Bowden is scrappy hitter with power to get over the outfield fences for Spartans.

St. Johns Country Day School baseball has T.J. Sunderhaus to bring a year of state championship level play to the new Spartan lineup.

Penguin socks for warmth were the pick of the day for Spartan hitter T.J. Sunderhaus.

Posted Thursday, January 23, 2025 1:15 pm

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com

"I'm ready, I got one of those electric heater vests on," said Lucas. "We have to replace a few good players, but I'm confident we have some players coming back and some new faces that will contribute."

Lucas, with two walk-off wins en route to his walk-off 4-3 win over Miami Christian Academy that got the first baseball state title for Clay County, will be without a plethora of firepower for 2025.

"I think we lose 10-11 key guys from that state title team, but we have some new faces coming in and a good crew of guys who played as juniors last year," said Lucas, who finished at 25-6 with the top seed for the region and state tournaments as well as a No. 4 finish in Florida and a No. 1 finish in Class 2A. "We will have to rebuild our top five in the batting lineup with new faces."
Lucas listed off his college guys which included Kyle Boylston to Florida Atlantic University, Kolt Myers at University of Florida, George Gilson at Flagler College, Seth Alford at University of North Florida and Kody Daneault, also at Flagler.
"That was our one to five batting lineup," said Lucas.
Boylston hit .316 with 17 RBIs, 5HRs; Myers hit .305 with 22 RBIs, 2 HRs, Gilson hit .425 with 26 RBIs, 4 HRs, Alford hit .304 with 26 RBIs, 6 HRs and Daneault hit .250 with 15 RBIs.
Returners will be Preston Cole at shortstop, Nick Bowden (.369, 18 RBIs, 3HRs) in the outfield, T.J. Sunderhaus at centerfield, Gilliand at first base and catcher Hunter Rodgers (.250, 15 RBIs), only a junior.
On the mound, with Lucas losing Jack Ensell (1.87 ERA) Alford (1.50 ERA), Trevor Bradley (2.00 ERA) and Daneault (2.10 ERA). Returning will be senior Austin Stratman plus a few transfers.
"Austin pitched in our state game and will be our top returner," said Lucas.
Stratman held a 2.48 ERA with a 4-2 season slate.
St. Johns will open their season February 11 with Bolles, February 12 with Bishop Kenny and February 17 at Lincoln.