Trio led OHS to regional finals

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Three Osceola High baseball seniors celebrated college grants at the Kowboys gym recently.

Pitcher Jorge Pantoja and outfielders J.R. Charles and Peter Calilao were joined by Kowboys Coach Scott Bircher and their families for the celebration.

Pantoja signed before the baseball season to Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala., a member of the NCAA Southwestern Conference.

Pantoja, often dominating in the postseason as the Kowboys reached the regional finals, compiled a 7-3 record and 1.29 ERA. The 6-4 lefthander said he would take a break from baseball before joining the Hornets, coached by Mervyl Melendez, later this summer.

“They said I could start or come out of the bullpen,” Pantoja said. “I thought it would be a good place for me.”

Pantoja also played basketball in Puerto Rico before moving to Kissimmee for middle school, but baseball always was his top choice.

“They tried to get me to play basketball, but I didn’t like it,” he said.

Pantoja will study sports medicine.

Charles was the Kowboys’ co-leader (4) in home runs this season with teammate Edwin Rios and said he may study engineering at Johns Hopkins, located in Baltimore.

“They have a strong academic program, and after they offered the chance to play baseball, it made sense for me,” Charles said.

The Blue Jays are coached by Bob Baab and compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference.

Charles attributes his power to a “fast swing” and is playing in an amateur wooden bat developmental league this summer to prepare for college.

Baab projects Charles to be a corner infielder, Charles said.

“They’re talking about first base, but they already have two first basemen,” he said. “They said if I hit when I get up there, I’ll play.”

Calilao said he ran across Clark University, located in Worcester, Mass., while doing research. Cougars Coach Jason Falcon decided that the versatile Kowboys senior would help his team.

“I liked what they have to offer,” Calilao said.

Calilao, who will study economics and finance, said he might catch at Clark, a position he also played at OHS.

The Cougars play in New England’s NEWMAC conference in NCAA Division III. The team was 8-26 last season.

Calilao, whose brother, Armen, played second base last season, said he would do whatever he can to help the OHS program enjoy continued success.

“I’ll come back whenever I can and work with Birch and (assistant coach) Willie Aviles and do what I can to help,” he said.

Osceola reached the regional finals, where it lost to Brandon, the eventual state runner-up, 3-2.

Birchler said he is proud of the seniors, who compiled a 3.52 GPA while advancing to within one game of the state tourney.

“We try to produce student athletes that are ready for college and the journey of life, while trying to win a few baseball games along the way,” he said.

“This is a very talented group of athletes on the ball field, but I believe they are equally impressive in the classroom.”