Even for a baseball program with a history as rich as MDC’s, this was a spectacular year.
The Sharks won the state title, qualified for the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., finishing second, and two players were selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft.
Head Coach Danny Price, who led the Sharks to a 38-16 record, said the World Series was a great experience for his kids, who heard a speech by former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa at the tournament’s introductory banquet.
One of the most impressive players at the World Series was MDC sophomore Nick Bateman, who belted two inside-the-park home runs in one week.
Bateman, who began the World Series as a reserve outfielder but became a starter in the second game when José Gómez got hurt, ended up hitting .583 with three total home runs. He and two other MDC Sharks made the Junior College World Series all-tournament team – pitcher Kyle Carter and second baseman Darren Seferina.
The draft became “something special” for two MDC players – Seferina and right-handed pitcher Domenick Mancini.
Seferina was selected in the fifth round and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Mancini was picked in the 12th round and signed with the Washington Nationals. It was the first time either player had been drafted.
Seferina hit .405 and had 34 stolen bases. He made first-team All-State and third-team All-American, among other honors. Mancini was 4-1 with a stellar 1.91 ERA. He struck out 39 in 37 innings and has a fastball clocked at 94 mph – the best on the team.