Water Genius of Tampa Game of the Week:
Antalek, Anello lead Wildcats to 8-2 win over Chargers

Wharton senior Chase Anello goes up for a forearm smash with fellow senior Chase Andress after the former’s solo home run in the third inning.

By Mike Camunas, Creative Director

NEW TAMPA — Cooper Antalek loves his slider.

And his catcher, Chase Anello knew he wanted to throw it — as much as he could.

“I love my slider,” Antalek, a senior Jacksonville State commit, said with a smirk. “I think I threw it every first pitch (to a batter) because it was working. I just love throwing it.”

“I grew up with him,” Anello, a Seminole State College commit, added. “I know what he can bring on the mound, so I know what he’s going to throw out there.”

Wharton junior Cooper Antalek held Strawberry Crest to one run over six innings and finished with six strikeouts. 

What Antalek was throwing worked for Wharton. The right-hander threw six innings, struck out six and allowed a run and two walks on four hits, as the Wildcats downed Strawberry Crest 8-2 on a damp Thursday evening.

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Anello and sophomore outfielder Alex Capezzuti both homered and sent the Chargers to their third-straight loss.

Wharton sophomore Alex Capezzuti celebrates his two-run home run in the sixth.

Capezutti’s homer, with Chase Andress on, kicked off a five-run sixth inning that sealed the win for the Wildcats (7-1), the No. 2 team in the 813Preps rankings. The No. 5-ranked Chargers, on the other hand, have dropped three straight after kicking off the season on a seven-win stretch.

“We’re back to 0-0, so we got to get back in the win column,” longtime Crest coach Eric Beattie said.

Strawberry Crest senior righty Zalen Hicks

On the mound for the Chargers (7-3), Zalen Hicks gave up three runs on four hits and walked three over five innings, but also struck out seven batters. Jaxon Beattie would come in relief, but give up the five runs and get just one out. Fellow reliever Asher Stoltzfus would give up a hit, but get the two outs in the sixth.

Wildcats senior Chase Andress allowed one run in an inning of relief, and struck out one.

Chase Andress would pitch an inning of relief behind Antalek, but give up a run on two hits before closing out the game.

“I think everybody has to find a way to identify themselves on this team and to show how they’re going to contribute,” said second-year Wharton coach Anthony Markle, fresh off state tournament final four appearance in 2025. “What do they do for this team? What do they contribute to this team for this year? That’s what we’re still all working together for this run.

Click here for more photos from this game.

“We have new pieces. And we’re trying to all fit in and find out where their roles are and where’s everybody and what their jobs are. They’re filling the shoes of guys who are gone — Justis Meadows, Drew Cobb, Antonio Fawcett — and it’s a work in progress.”

Braden Bodenstein slides home in the first inning.

Plenty of progress was made adding Antalek to the roster, as he was playing for Bishop McLaughlin Catholic last season. After seeing the success the Wildcats had in 2025, Antalek is eager to contribute to a possible return trip to Fort Myers.

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“Getting to states is the main goal, and we’re working hard every day,” Antalek said. “The (team) chemistry is great, and it’s something I’ve never had on a team before and it’s really working for us.
“But getting to states, that’s the goal.”

Wildcats senior Jairius Morris takes a lead off third base.

Wharton built a 2-0 lead as Jairius Morris drove home Braden Bodenstein and then Tomas Rivera scored on an error. The Chargers got one back in the third when Nico Cappucci drove home Toby Highsmith.

In the bottom of the third, Anello would homer to center field, his first of the season.

“I’ve had a few good knocks the past couple of games, but I’m still trying to figure out my swing,” Anello said. “I just saw a fastball in and got around it and did damage.”

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Tomas Rivera hustles home in the first inning and scores on an error.

With just little over a week away from the 45th Saladino Tournament starting, the Wildcats are happy to get in good competition before opening the tournament against undefeated and No. 3-ranked Tampa Catholic (9-0) from Plant City on Saturday, March 14th.

“This is one of the cleanest games of baseball I have ever seen,” Markle said. “Honestly, I mean, even though it seems like it’s 8 to 2 might be quote-unquote lopsided, both teams played well. They had their chances, too.”

“The beautiful thing about (going to states) last year,” he added, “was that we didn’t expect it. It wasn’t expected. It wasn’t talked about. So, this year, it’s the same concept. It’s not talked about. It’s not expected. We’re gonna win today, and then we’re gonna win tomorrow, and we’re gonna win the next day, and as long as we keep winning every single day, we’ll find ourselves back where we want to be.”

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#2 Wharton 8
#5 Strawberry Crest 2

S  001|000|1 – |2|6|1
W 201|005|x – |8|9|2
W – Antalek (2-0); L – Hicks (2-1)
HR – Anello, Capezutti (W). Records – S (7-3); W (7-1).

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Chargers head coach Eric Beattie

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Wharton head coach Anthony Markle

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Strawberry Crest SP Zalen Hicks

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Chargers C Toby Highsmith tries to retrieve a ball after Tomas Rivera comes in to score in the first inning.

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Wildcats junior RHP Cooper Antalek

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Wharton senior Chase Anello heads for third on his round-tripper. 

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Strawberry Crest freshman RHP Jaxon Beattie

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