Bobos’ offseason work continues to pay off for Bell Creek

Bell Creek’s Canon Bobos had three hits including a pair of doubles in Friday’s victory over DeBartolo.

By Chuck Frye, Senior Staff Writer

TAMPA – Canon Bobos knew he had room for improvement. The amount he had was eye-opening.

The 2023 season saw Bell Creek win the Sunshine State Athletic Association’s state title and make its first-ever appearance in the Class 3A regional tournament. But during that successful campaign, Bobos struggled offensively, hitting just over .200.

Click here for a few more photos from this game.

Envisioning a prominent role with the Panthers in his senior year, Bobos went to work during the off-season. With the help of the BCA coaching staff, revamping his approach at the plate, the tide turned.

As DeBartolo first baseman D.J. Valley walks away, BCA’s Avery Lang applauds toward his bench after a second-inning single.

And there was no better example of his turnaround than his performance in Friday night’s 9-0 victory over host Brooks DeBartolo.

Exhibiting impressive plate savvy, the senior lit up the Phoenix starter with a solid RBI single in the first inning. The fourth frame saw him drive a double off the leftfield fence, while the sixth featured a line drive lashed down the leftfield chalk for another two-bagger, finishing with three runs scored.

Bell Creek Academy head coach Frank Burke gets doused with water after his team’s victory over Brooks DeBartolo, his 100th win in 11 seasons at the school.

“Last year, Canon was really in a bad spot,” Bell Creek head coach Frank Burke said after the victory, the 100th of his 11-year career at the school. “But starting last August, he had a new lease on life. He started over.”

“I had a real big leg kick and I would get a little antsy at the plate,” Bobos said. “I would try to change the game with one swing too much.”

DeBartolo junior starter Messiah Williams displayed a lively fastball but struggled with control, allowing five runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Economizing his movements at the dish – severely lowering his kick and shortening his stride – flipped the script. Now Bobos is one of the top batters in the state, hovering around .600 while topping last year’s RBI and extra base totals with about a month still left to play.

“I can see the ball longer and find more barrels,” Bobos explained. “I have better control of my body through the entire swing.”

BCA’s William Miller is congratulated by Canon Bobos (20) after scoring a second-inning run.

And Bobos’ production was infectious against DeBartolo (4-13). Sophomore Landon Pearce lashed a two-run double, the key blow in a four-run first that put the game away shortly after it started. Leadoff man Avery Long had a single, a double and stole two bases. Andrew Golden and Noah Berning added a two-bagger and a run scored apiece. Tate Anich singled, walked and was hit by a pitch, scoring a run. Starting pitcher C.J. Jacobsen had a run-scoring base hit and a walk.

“It seems like when (Bobos) hits, it steamrolls to the rest of the lineup,” Burke said. “It helps kids lower in the lineup see more pitches that they can handle.”

As DeBartolo second baseman Aiden Brown walks away, Panthers’ Canon Bobos starts his celebration after an RBI base hit in the first inning.

And that production made all the difference for Jacobsen on the hill.

“With a four-run lead, it is going to change my approach, of course,” Jacobsen said. “I’m going to do whatever I want because I’ve got that lead. Mistakes are affordable at that point.”

Bell Creek starting pitcher C.J. Jacobsen was dazzling during his complete-game one-hitter, striking out 11 and walking none.

Mistakes were minimal for Jacobsen, who finished with a one-hitter (a Griffin Boyce two-out single in the first) with no walks and 11 strikeouts. Only three Phoenix batters reached base and none got past first base.

“It definitely was one of the best nights for my fastball this year, especially with the zone the home plate umpire had,” Jacobsen said. “I really like to hit that outside and low spot.”

With teammate Van Gannon (right) looking on, BCA shortstop Joe DiCecco snags a popup to end the top of the third inning.

Moving to 10-4 on the year, snapping a modest two-game winless streak in the process, Bell Creek will return to action on Monday when it hosts Zephyrhills Christian before entering the SSAC final four at the end of the week. And to a man, the key for success come playoff time was a no-brainer.

“I think, personally, I need to boost the team morale,” Jacobsen said.

Bell Creek’s Ashton Davis (23) crossed the plate for a sixth-inning run as DeBartolo catcher Jose Gutierrez tracks the late throw.

“I need to step up my leadership,” Bobos concluded. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team and the juniors from that team are stepping up to be the leaders for a very young group. Team baseball … that’s what it’s all about.”

Brooks DeBartolo will also return to play on Monday, traveling to Tampa Prep.

Tate Anich gets a fist bump from head coach Frank Burke after a fourth-inning walk. Anich reached base three times for Bell Creek, scoring once.

⚾

Bell Creek 9, Brooks DeBartolo 0

BC 420|102|0 – |9|10|2
BD 000|000|0 – |0|1|4
W – Jacobsen (4-1); L – Williams
2B – Bobos 2, Golden, Long, Pearce, Berning (BC). Records – BC (10-4); BD (4-13).

Panthers DH Noah Berning yells to his bench after his fourth-inning RBI double.

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