Bryan O’Connor Mariner Tritons Senior Baseball

The Mariner High Tritons have shown the ability to hit the long ball, smacking six home runs in the first six baseball games this season. The pitching staff also has been effective in tossing 22 consecutive scoreless innings.

Another mark of the Tritons (6-0) is their unselfish approach. They have several quality players and it’s important for many of them to accept specific roles. Even if, at times, they’re overshadowed by other players.

Senior Bryan O’Connor is a prime example. He has become a consistent leader, on and off the field. His offensive production has picked up after a slow start.

The Daily Breeze Male Athlete of the Week has seven hits in his last 10 at-bats. He was 3-for-3 with three runs scored in a 20-0 rout of East Lee County last last week, and added two hits, including a clutch RBI single, in a 6-0 win over Cape Coral.

“I started off kind of slow, but the big thing was staying confident,” O’Connor said. “I knew sooner or later if I continued to work hard in batting practice the hits would come.”

O’Connor, who plays first base, is described by coach Steve Larsen as a “program kid.”

Before it was his turn to join the varsity squad, Bryan watched older brother, Bobby. In essence, he’s been around the team for about eight years now. Overall, Bryan has played baseball for 13 years.

“He brings a lot of things that people don’t see,” Larsen said. “He’s become a leader off the field, during stretching and those types of things.”

O’Connor was a key player last season as the Tritons captured the District 5A-15 title. He’s surrounded by many of the same players, which creates high expectations this season.

He acknowledges that the Tritons have some younger players and he wants to set a good example for them this season.

Honorable mention:

Harrison Kuchman, junior, Mariner track: Had four first-place finishes as the Tritons defeated Lehigh and Riverdale. Took first in triple jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 4×400 relay and set three personal records.

Michael Becker, senior, North Fort Myers baseball: Went 3-for-3 with two doubles and scored four times in the Red Knights’ 15-5 win over Lehigh. Becker is hitting .500 (13-for-26) this season.