Male Athlete of the Week
As the lone senior on a high school baseball team with no postseason possibilities, Island Coast’s Marco LoSauro understood the circumstances of the Gators’ season finale at Naples Lely.
LoSauro wanted to show the large group of underclassmen how it’s done in his final high school game.
“With no postseason, I’ve just tried to be more of a leader,” he said, “and show the younger kids what it takes if they ever make it there.”
The Daily Breeze Male Athlete of the Week delivered a monster performance at the plate, going 5-for-6 with three triples, a double, and four RBI, leading the Gators (11-13) to a wild 14-13 win.
LoSauro continued a late-season tear. He finished the campaign leading the Gators with a .382 batting average and 23 RBI.
“With about 10 games to go he really hit his stride,” Gators coach Clint Montgomery said. “He hasn’t had a cheap at-bat in about four weeks.”
The 6-foot-3 LoSauro made his presence felt in a variety of ways this season, including defensively in left field, at third base and on the pitcher’s mound. He pitched three scoreless innings in relief against Lely.
The nephew of Bishop Verot coach Tom LoSauro, joined the Gators this season after moving to Cape Coral from Las Vegas. He currently lives with his older brother. His mother, Mindy, still lives in Vegas while his father, Sam, lives in Colorado.
At Island Coast, LoSauro joined a first-year varsity team filled with freshmen and sophomores. The Gators were not eligible for district or FHSAA playoffs this season.
“I talked to him early in the year and he was frustrated,” Montgomery said, “but as the year went on and at the Lely game he expressed to the team how happy he was that he got sent to Island Coast (through school choice) and had the chance to be a leader for our team.”
LoSauro wants to continue playing baseball if he gets the opportunity and is considering joining the Air Force or attending college in Texas.
Honorable mentions:
Joseph Byrd, junior, Ida Baker track: Won the 100- and 200-meter events at the District 3A-13 meet and led the Bulldogs to first place in the 4×100 relay.
Andrew Dukas, junior, Mariner track: Set a school record in the 400 at the District 4A-7 meet, running a time of 51.33. He led the Tritons to first place in the 4×400 relay and placed fourth in the 200.