All three Keys teams enjoyed double-digit wins this season, with one team capturing a district championship and another winning their conference. Coral Shores ended the season with a 10-12 record, which included a win against county rival Marathon in an epic Battle of the Keys. The ‘Canes’ season ended in the FHSAA 3A District 16 semifinals, putting them at 5-1 in district action this year. They lost six talented seniors to graduation, but return another 16 athletes in 2025.
Marathon finished 18-6, making it to the district semifinals where, like Coral Shores, their season ended. But the Fins, who participate in the South Florida Baseball Conference in addition to districts, captured their first conference championship with a win over Riviera Prep. Marathon split their district wins and losses at 2-2 this season and will return to action in 2025 with the majority of their roster intact, losing just four seniors to graduation.
Key West struggled with arguably one of the most challenging schedules in the country early in the season. Playing the perennial powerhouses of both the east and west coasts gave the Conchs the experience needed to cruise to a district championship and make it all the way to the FHSAA 4A Region 4 semifinal game, where they lost by a single run to the eventual state champions. Key West’s roster was loaded with talent, and despite losing six athletes to graduation, they look formidable for 2025.
Photos by Barry Gaukel, Mark Hedden and Joy Smith.
MVP
Anthony Lari
Senior, Key West
RHP
In his senior campaign, Anthony Lariz proved he had what it takes to join the ranks of legendary Conch pitchers. His 1.63 ERA was the best on the team. Lariz also led Key West in strikeouts, fanning 89 batters this season, and earned 2 shutouts. He pitched 3 complete games, earning 5 wins and 1 save in a dozen starts. The big righty also proved he could hit, collecting 12 hits and 12 RBI to close out his final season with the Conchs in style. Regardless of the situation, when Lariz was handed the ball, Key West had a boost in confidence, and though intangible, this trait helped catch the eye of numerous college scouts. Lariz will continue his career in-state, choosing to play at the University of Central Florida.
Jacob Burnham
Senior, Key West
LHP
Key West’s Jacob Burnham gave the Conchs six of their wins this season, adding a save, a shutout and a pair of complete games to his stats. Burnham struck out 71 batters this season and boasted a 1.97 ERA. Offensively, Burnham had an impressive .723 on-base percentage in his 42 plate appearances, collecting 6 hits and 4 RBI. Of those 6 hits, two were doubles and one was a triple, making him an asset both on the mound and at the plate. Burnham’s endless talent is already spreading; he committed to Boston College, where he will pitch for the Eagles.
Dylan Ziels
Senior, Marathon
RHP
Marathon’s ace was 7-1 this season, with a 0.93 ERA during his senior campaign. Ziels delivered 96 strikeouts over 61 innings pitched. Offensively, he hit .387 at the plate, collecting 24 hits, 20 RBI and a home run to cap off a stellar career for the Fins. Ziels is off to Palm Beach State College to continue his baseball career.
Gabriel Leal
Junior, Marathon
Catcher/RHP
Leal represented a full battery for Marathon, often playing both pitcher and catcher in the same game. Defensively, he protected the plate with perfect accuracy. On the mound, he was 4-2 with a 2.60 ERA. Offensively, he amassed 34 hits including 8 doubles, a triple and 30 RBI with a .423 batting average to lead the Fins in almost every hitting statistic this season.
Mason Thornton
Junior, Marathon
1B/RHP
Junior Mason Thornton was perfect in the field this season, both at first base and on the mound. The 6’5” righty fanned 38 batters this season, going 3-2 in his pitching duties for the Fins. Offensively, Thornton batted .339, collecting 21 hits and 21 RBI.
Jack Chapman
8th Grade, Marathon
Infielder
Though still a middle schooler, Marathon’s Jack Chapman earned a starting spot in the Fins’ rotation this season, batting .340 with 18 hits, including 6 doubles and a triple. Chapman batted in 16 runners for Marathon and showed maturity and athleticism beyond his years.
Zeke Myers
Senior, Coral Shores
Catcher
Coral Shores’ Zeke Myers earned the top spot for the ’Canes offensively with a .478 batting average and .561 on-base percentage. The senior catcher also led the team in home runs with two, boosting his slugging percentage to .783. Myers batted in 18 runners this season, and his defensive play at the plate was on point. Myers has signed his letter of intent to play at the collegiate level with Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee.
Grayden Ross
Senior, Coral Shores
Pitcher
Hurricane hurler Grayden Ross had a solid season on the mound with 33 strikeouts and a 4.67 ERA, yet his greatest contribution to his team was his leadership. Ross’ undaunting work ethic and willingness to do what it takes to improve set a model for others to follow, making him an asset the ’Canes will surely miss next year. As for next year, Ross will be busy playing ball at Columbia International University in South Carolina.
Campbell Lavoie
Junior, Coral Shores
3B/Pitcher
Equally talented defensively and offensively, Coral Shores’ Campbell Lavoie is an all-around fantastic ballplayer. Batting .431 with an on-base percentage of .529, Lavoie earned a .638 slugging percentage with the help of 5 doubles, a pair of triples and a home run this year. On the mound, he had a 2.27 ERA with 3 wins this season.
AJ Putetti
Junior, Coral Shores
Center Field
Coral Shores’ leadoff hitter averaged .274 this season with a .387 on-base percentage. Putetti was deadliest rounding the bases, using his athleticism and hustle to steal 13 of them this season. He used the same hustle in the outfield, holding down center field with a .920 fielding percentage.
Auggy Davila
Freshman, Key West
Shortstop
In his first year with the Conchs, Auggy Davila proved to be an asset on both sides of the plate. Offensively, he had 9 hits, crossing the plate eight times for Key West and batting in 5 runs, but defensively was where he truly shone. Davila was .946 in the field, turning 6 double plays and collecting 27 putouts at shortstop.
Steel Mientkiewicz
Senior, Key West
Second Base
In his first season with the Conchs, senior Steel Mientkiewicz made an immediate impact with his bat. Hitting .295, he collected 26 hits, 11 RBI and scored 13 runs this season. Defensively, he was .937 in the field, turning 6 double plays and collecting 32 putouts in his senior campaign. Mientkiewicz will be taking his talent to Georgia Highlands College next season.
Roman Garcia
Freshman, Key West
First Base
Roman Garcia led the Conchs in multiple offensive stats this season, and he is just a freshman. The first baseman had an impressive .353 batting average, .422 on-base percentage and led his team in slugging at .470. Garcia crossed the plate 10 times, batting in 14 runs while he collected 30 hits, which included 7 doubles and a home run. Defensively, he led Key West in double plays, turning eight this season.
Nelson Ong
Freshman, Key West
Outfielder
Another member of Key West’s highly-talented freshman class, Nelson Ong was the team’s top batter, hitting .385 this season with a .524 on-base percentage, boosted by 14 walks and 8 bases from being struck by pitches. Ong racked up 30 hits, scored 17 runs, batted in 13 and was 7 for 7 on stolen bases. On defense, he did not make a single error this season.
