Dave Goldapper, Mickey Case, and James Smith. {Vale Sandoval}
By: Matt Rothman
Three additional seniors from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas baseball team have recently made official commitments.
Mickey Case is set to play at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.
“It’s an honor to be committed to a sport I have played my entire life growing up,” Case said. “It was a dream for me to play baseball in college, and it has come true.”
Case began playing for his entire life and started with the Original Florida Pokers until he was 12. He transitioned to the Parkland Pokers and has played for the Elite Squad Program for the past four summers, where he closed the season out, hitting .400 with a home run, seven RBIs, and two doubles. Case also played on the varsity baseball team at MSD, where the Eagles won their third straight State and National Championships.
“Happy for him and all the hard work he has put into this,” Head Coach Todd Fitz-Gerald said. “It’s a great opportunity for him to continue to develop, get better, and get a great education.”
Mickey Case {Vale Sandoval}
Case shines in the classroom as well and has a GPA of 4.5. He plans on joining the Aerospace Engineering Program, which he calls one of the best in Florida. Case also wants to thank his parents and his coaches for helping him get this opportunity. When he is not playing baseball, Case likes to spend time fishing, hanging with friends, playing video games and basketball.
While Case will have one more year on the varsity baseball team, he hopes to improve his time management and sleep before going to college, where he will join a team that went 25-23 last year.
James Smith is heading to Barry University in Miami.
“It feels great to be committed,” Smith said. “Having the opportunity to play baseball at the next level while furthering my education feels amazing and is everything I have worked toward. It is truly a blessing.”
Smith began playing baseball competitively when he was seven and has competed for the Parkland Pokers, American Heritage Delray, Original Florida Pokers, and with MSD, where he has not allowed a run in 3.2 innings.
“Been a long road for James battling through injury And getting healthy,” Fitz-Gerald said. “Extremely happy with his decision, and he will do great things at Barry University.”
James Smith. {Vale Sandoval}
Smith hoped to find a school close to home and compete in a competitive conference. After seeing what academics they had to offer, he quickly made his choice.
Smith hopes to improve his arm care, mechanics, and velocity before college.
David Goldapper will attend Eastern Florida State College and join teammate Ethan Askin.
“Being committed has definitely taken a lot of pressure and stress off of my shoulders,” Goldapper said. “It’s one less thing to worry about.”
Goldapper started playing baseball when he was four and recently moved from Fountain Hills, Arizona, where he played for the Falcons. He also competed for the 17U Elite Diamondbacks and will play his first year at MSD.
“He continues to get better,” Fitz-Gerald said. “He has a huge upside and is really developing. Expecting great things from him this spring couldn’t be happier for him.”
For college, Goldapper loved how he was treated from the moment he got on campus. He plans on enjoying every moment of high school and wants to slow things down while on the mound before competing for a team that won 23 games a season ago.
David Goldapper. {Vale Sandoval}
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