The Hitmaster Bombers’ 4-2 win over the second best team in the nation, the Georgia Stars, not only captured the AAU Championship, but it also reflects the Terriers’ own play.

The Bombers, founded by Hillsborough varsity baseball coach Pat Russo and Alonso varsity baseball coach David Fuentes in 2005, received their AAU championship rings Jan. 21.

Of the 20-man roster of the Bombers, consisting of players (ages 15-19) from all over Hillsborough County, nine were from Hillsborough, which could possibly cast a bright light on the upcoming season.

Aside from Hillsborough high alumnus Mario Williams, senior second baseman Alex Cooks, senior centerfielder Ricky Acosta, senior outfielder Justin Bowman, senior pitcher Orlando Bacon, junior pitcher Matt Schurig, junior pitcher Joey Gildea, junior catcher Casey Nunez and junior shortstop Marco Lamonte, all attend HHS.

“Although we came from different schools, when it came to competition, we all focused on what was important, and that was to win,” Acosta said. “We gelled pretty easily; the only thing that made me hesitant at first was that I did not know how each team member would contribute to the game. The coaches including Fuentes made it very clear that we needed to play as one, once we all did that, our chemistry grew stronger and it was as if we had been playing together since our freshman year.” Acosta is a Gaither High transfer who blended right in with the Terriers.

Russo believed every facet of the team contributed heavily, that the defense did pretty well and also hit well.

“Nobody thought that we would go this far,” said Russo. “Since the Hitmaster Bombers is a new team, we were doubted by a lot of competitors, including some of our own fans. This win shows that we can always go against the odds, and that even though we barely played with half of our team players, we still played as a whole. This win is a symbol for everything which we stand for as a team.”

Prior to the AAU Winter Championship, Hillsborough’s own 19-man team was warmed up by a 2-0 win against Land O’ Lakes in the Fall Ball Championships

“This is what I call a Justin Bowman win,” said Russo, referring to the Terrier win over Land O’ Lakes. Hitting a bloop single that night Bowman, catapulted the Terriers to a win. In the 4th inning with basemen on second and third, Bowman hit the ball in a line drive, causing the baseball to surpass the head of the second baseman on the other team, this hit would allow the other players to make it to home.

“All I could really think about in that one moment was how as I going to pull this off,” Bowman said. “The team really needed this win, and I couldn’t let the team down, once I realized that, it was like simple mathematics.”

The Terries have been warming up all year round, and with a current record of 23-1-1 it seems as though their main focus is for state finals in the spring.

Hillsborough awaits another competition, the Key West Tournament 3A Championships, hosted by Key West high school, Feb. 9-10.

Said sophomore short stop Ryan Fleming, “Key West should prove how good we, as a team, truly are, and to win states, anything less is a failure.”