Douglas’ Dubanewicz and Fitz-Gerald are the Broward 7A-6A Baseball Players of the Year
In an era where players can often get caught up in their individual accolades, upholding the winning standard on the Stoneman Douglas baseball team meant a lot to Jayden Dubanewicz and Devin Fitz-Gerald.
So when things were going uncharacteristically bad this season for a team coming off three consecutive national championships, and Dubanewicz and Fitz-Gerald started hearing all the doubts about the program, they had all the motivation they needed.
“We had so much doubt and hate from the outside and it really just motivated us to be great,” Fitz-Gerald said. “We came out on top and now everyone that doubted us, what can they say now? The dynasty is still alive.”
Both players were at the forefront of Douglas’ late-season turnaround, which catapulted the Eagles to a fourth consecutive state championship.
And both showed why they each were among the best players in the state at their positions.
As such, Dubanewicz is the Miami Herald’s Broward Pitcher of the Year for Classes 7A-6A while Fitz-Gerald is the Player of the Year in that same category.
Dubanewicz, a senior righty and University of Florida commit, compiled a 7-2 record and struck out 74 batters over 60 innings and finished with a 1.52 ERA.
After his own rough patch in the middle of the season, Dubanewicz worked to compose himself and refine his pitches, which helped him finish his senior year on a high note.
“Just being able to really make history, it’s a feeling you can’t really explain. I’m excited for the future and really happy we finished on that note,” Dubanewicz said. “After the rocky start against Columbus, I took the time and calmed down and everything started to click.”
Meanwhile, Fitz-Gerald, an NC State signee, anchored the Eagles’ lineup and infield with stellar play.
Fitz-Gerald hit .407 with five home runs, 10 doubles and 26 RBI while batting in the No. 2 spot in Douglas’ potent lineup.
Although Fitz-Gerald could end up playing college ball, he also could end up being selected in next month’s MLB Draft. Either way, Fitz-Gerald said the experience of playing for a program that won state titles every season of his high school career, is something he believes will be extremely valuable at the next level.
“It just goes to leadership in the dugout and the locker room,” Fitz-Gerald said. “Our coaches are always telling us to play for the name on the front, not the one on the back. Once it really came together, we knew we weren’t getting beat.”
