The reward for a successful season?Playing at Yankee Stadium on a gorgeous spring afternoon.
Freshman Christian Centeno
On Monday, June 11th the Van Arsdale Cardinals baseball team took on the Bathgate Bulldogs in the PSAL AA Baseball City Championship at Yankee Stadium. Both teams played well, and while Bathgate defeated Van Arsdale 6-1, the Cardinals’ 2018 season is one to be celebrated. Part of the team are three members of the Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design student body: Seniors Isaiah Jimenez Brice and Christopher Maldonado and Freshman Christian Centeno.
Isaiah and Christopher will graduate and move on to Bryant and Stratton in Virginia and Florida International in Miami, respectively, while Christian will have three more years to make his mark at WHSAD for the Van Arsdale Cardinals. Below, Isaiah and Christopher share their thoughts on the season, game, what they will take away from their experiences at WHSAD, and what is coming next for them.
Van Arsdale Cardinal second baseman, Christopher Maldonado was ecstatic to play in the finals at Yankee Stadium.
Christopher Maldonado:
On the championship game: Amazing playing on the field legends played and being exposed to the experience was truly eye-opening.
On the season: Great season, coaches and teammates helped make it a great season as they continued to motivate me so that I could surpass my goals.
WHSAD: It has been a great time, and I have had wonderful moments with teachers, Mr. D’Amato and the other assistant principals, and friends. Exposure to AP classes and the Medgar Evers English class with Mr. Rodriguez has given me a head start for what college will be like.
Future plans: Florida International majoring in Veterinary Studies. I love it because I have two dogs.
Van Arsdale Cardinal center fielder, Isaiah Jimenez Brice swings away on a beautiful day at Yankee Stadium.
Isaiah Jimenez Brice:
Game: Playing in the finals was nerve-racking. I was proud of my team and experienced a lot of emotions.
Season: Team chemistry started to get things to click, and we started playing as one. We were all mentally prepared for championship game, playing one game at a time. As a senior, I knew that this was my year and our time to put the school on the map.
WHSAD: Through the years, the conversations I’ve had with teachers have helped me grow. The things teachers have said to me have helped me prepare for what is coming next.
Future: Hopefully, after second year of college, I’ll enter the MLB draft and be pretty successful in life. I feel everything is going to piece itself together.