Mendes, Jesuit aim for first-ever back-to-back titles

By Jarrett Guthrie, Editor

TAMPA – All the best teams have one.

The “lead by example” guy, the first man on the field, last to leave, steady, consistent. Every once in a while, that player is better than good, a tick above great. Sometimes he’s superstar.

Jesuit will bring a murderer’s-row of hitters, a pitching staff of lights-out dealers, and solid defense to Fort Myers for this week’s FHSAA Class 5A state championship. But the player that should be keeping the head coaches of the other three semifinal teams awake at night wears No. 11 in blue and white.

It’s likely too late for a jersey change, but maybe Wes Mendes would look good in #40?

The number sure seems to be the aim for the Ole Miss-signed senior this year. Mendes is four RBI shy of 40 for the season with potentially two games yet to play. If he could accomplish that feat, he’d add to his 40 hits this year, his 41 runs scored, or his 41 strikeouts to go along with his 4-0 record.

The latter two numbers would have been higher had his first appearance on the mound not been pushed back 40 days into the season as the lefty worked through some arm fatigue issues.

Mendes’ staggering numbers and success on the field are not lost on the Tigers’ head coach Miguel Menendez, who is hoping to lead Jesuit (26-4) to its seventh state title (and his third) in school history.

“He may be the best player I’ve ever coached,” the 16-year veteran coach (now in his eighth season at Jesuit) said. “I don’t want to upset some of my other guys, but it’s true. He’s so talented – not only what he can do on the mound and at the plate – he’s just so valuable to us. He’s the leader and as he goes, the team goes.

“He’s our security blanket, he’s definitely been my security blanket. Knowing that we have him in the middle of the lineup, or now at the top, or out there on the mound, we know in the next big spot, what we are going to get from him. Everybody else gets to relax a bit when he’s out there.”

As far as what type of leader Mendes is for his team, the Tigers skipper said you don’t have to spend too much time around Jesuit’s practice or gamedays to get a feel on that subject.

“Wes is more of a ‘how he goes about his business’ leader,” Menendez said. “Everyone follows him because of how hard he works and how good he is, but he’s also the first one to pull someone aside in the dugout and talk to them.”

Jesuit head coach Miguel Menendez will attempt to lead the Tigers to the program’s seventh state title, and his third during his eight-year coaching tenure. 

Mendes admits he’s not “a terribly vocal guy,” agreeing with his coach that there are many ways to lead.

“I like to lead by example,” Mendes said. “I think that is the No. 1 way to show character – to be the first one on the field, last one off. Just do those little things and let that speak for itself.”

When asked if the 40 RBI milestone is something he was hoping to add to his high school resume, which among other accolades includes a 2022 Florida Dairy Farmers Class 5A Player of the Year nod after his 11-strikeout performance in last season’s state championship win, Mendes chuckled and simply stated: “I had no idea about any of those numbers.”

Jesuit will take to the field at Fort Myers’ Hammond Stadium on Monday at 1 p.m. taking on Sebring in the state semifinal – the Blue Streaks in search of a state title for the first time since winning in 1949.

Last year’s state title experience for the Tigers is an added edge according to Mendes.

“I think being here before gives us an advantage,” Mendes said. “Especially, since Sebring hasn’t been here in a really long time … we’ve been preparing with really big games all season long. I don’t think there will be many nerves for our team.”

The early delay in his season debut on the mound limited him to just 23-plus innings, no more than four innings in a single appearance. But neither player, nor coach have too many concerns about his ability to go deeper into a game on the mound.

“I know I haven’t gone too far (in games),” Mendes said. “I’ve usually cruised through three, but sometimes in the fourth I’ve lost it a little bit. But I’m confident I can go seven (innings) or however many my team needs me to pitch.”

“I know Wes has been more than capable to go deeper in games,” Menendez said. “But with the depth we have on the mound, we just really haven’t had to (do so). If he can just give us four (innings), I’m pretty confident in the guys we have behind him.”

Mendes will have to help his team reach Wednesday’s state final with his bat and defense in the outfield if he hopes to have another chance on the mound to bring home a title. Jesuit will put the ball in the hand of junior Aden Knowles (NC State commit) for Monday’s semifinal, and the 6-foot-3 righty will bring his 7-0 record and 1.30 ERA with him.

“(Wes) is not getting the ball tomorrow,” Menendez said. “Aden Knowles is getting the ball (on Monday). We are going down there to win the whole thing.”

The Tigers pitching staff has a combined 2.19 ERA, with big contributions from seniors John Abraham (5-1, 3.17 ERA), Brooks Chamberlin (4-1, 1.22 ERA), and Derek Westfall (3-1, six saves, 1.56 ERA), as well as freshman Wilson Andersen (15 appearances on the year, 3.20 ERA).

Not too far behind Mendes’ team-best .417 batting average is fellow senior Grant Jordan, who is hitting .398 with 36 RBI, and eight total Tigers have at least 22 hits on the year. Catcher Josh Hines (.296, 14 RBI) and Jake Kulikowski (.315, 32 runs, 19 RBI, and 29 walks) have had final four success recording hits in last season’s two games in Fort Myers.

Surprisingly, with years of program success and six previous baseball state titles, Jesuit has a chance to accomplish a first – winning back-to-back titles.

Mendes said he was surprised to learn it had never happened, but also added that he and his teammates aren’t looking past Sebring and a tough semifinal ahead.

“You don’t want to treat any game differently,” Mendes said. “You should always go out there and treat every game like it is the most important one you are going to play.”

Well then, just two more important ones to go.