The Benedictine baseball team made a run to the Class 4A state semifinals last yearand Jason Pascual's squad has a wealth of big-time players returning to make a run at a title this season.
College coaches have recognized the talent in the BC program and their interest was evident this week
when junior twins Noah and Landen Harris announced their commitments to play baseball at the University of Florida.They join first baseman/pitcher Kai Hernandez-Gambill, who recently announced his commitment to Division II powerhouse Catawba College in North Carolina.
The trio combines with star senior shortstop Omari Burse, the All-Greater Savannah Player of the Year as a junior, who announced his commitment to play at the Division I level with Alabama-Birmingham
before last season started. Burse is currently the standout starting quarterback for the Cadet football team.
The twins broke into the BC varsity lineup last season and had a huge impact immediately. Both are left-handed hitters who throw with their right hand.
Noah Harris was named the Region 1-4A Co-Player and Co-Pitcher of the Year last season when the middle infielder and pitcher hit .492 with an OPS of 1.245 with 11 doubles, three homers, 44 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He went 9-0 on the mound with a 1.79 ERA in 47 innings pitched, as he fanned 48 batters and posted a WHIP of 1.15.
His brother Landen, and outfielder and pitcher, was named the Region's Rookie of the Year. He hit .418 with an OPS of 1.083. He had two home runs, 33 RBIs and stole 20 bases. He pitched 13 innings, with 20 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.04.
Pascual said the brothers identity as twins extends to their skill sets on the field.
"They both play with an elite skill level and have very high baseball IQs," said Pascual, who was named the All-Greater Savannah Coach of the Year last season. "The numbers they put up speak for themselves. They are special players who play a huge part in our success."
Hernandez-Gambill hit .495 with an OPS of 1.456 and had 10 doubles, eight homers and 45 RBIs, while providing a stellar glove at first base for the Cadets to earn All-Region first-team honors.
"Kai is a heart-of-the-order guy and a leader with our team," Pascual said. "He shows so much exuberance and love for the game ― he sets a great example with his work ethic and shows that hard work pays off."
Burse is a two-sport star who has been instrumental in the Cadet football team's 3-1 start and No. 4 ranking among Class 5A teams in the state. He has thrown for 700 yards with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions so far.
As a junior,he hit .482 with 18 doubles, nine homers, 61 runs, 49 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and pitched 25 inningswith a 3-2 record and a pair of saves.
"Omari is such a gifted, versatile athlete and he is showing that again on the football field this season," Pascual said. "I admit I get nervous every time he takes a hit. But he is so competitive and brings so much talent and leadership to the baseball field."
BC has a rich baseball history with recent state title runs in 2018 and 2014 after the first championship way back in 1961.
Pascual is hoping for another deep playoff run with a team that has the potential to win it all.
"It's going to be really fun to watch this lineup this season," he said. "Hopefully our guys are going to cause some sleepless night for opposing coaches."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Benedictine's Noah, Landen Harris commit to play at Florida baseball
