Bobby Borchering Bishop Verot Vikings Senior Baseball

In June, Bishop Verot senior Bobby Borchering may have some serious options to weigh. For now, though, his focus is squarely on leading the Vikings.

The standout third baseman/pitcher signed a scholarship with the University of Florida, but figures to be selected early in the Major League Baseball Draft in June.

“I’ve tried to block all of that out and focus on this team,” he said.

After a slow start, the Vikings (10-13) are playing their best baseball of the season, which included a 3-1 record in last week’s Bud Roth Tournament at Terry Park. Borchering continued his power surge, helping the Vikings to a runner-up finish.

Breeze Newspaper’s Male Athlete of the Week launched a pair of three-run homers in wins over North Fort Myers and Mariner and finished the four-game event with three home runs and 10 RBI.

He’s blasted 12 home runs this season, including seven in the last nine games, and maintains a .492 batting average.

“We went into this season knowing that we needed Bobby’s production,” Vikings coach Tom LoSauro said, “and he’s actually exceeded the expectations we set.”

Bor-chering (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) is in his fourth season with the Vikings. His all-around play has been instrumental in helping the team reach the regionals three straight years, including a regional semifinals appearance last season.

Along with the impressive numbers, Borchering leads by example.

“He’s not a rah-rah guy, but he has a strong work ethic” LoSauro said. “The other guys have picked up on it.”

The Vikings have recovered from some early struggles, which LoSauro said was a combination of inexperience and a difficult schedule.

Borchering thinks the turnaround has come with more confidence throughout the lineup.

“We started swinging the bats. We’ve gained confidence out of that,” he said.

Honorable mentions:

Taylor Walker, junior, Mariner baseball: Pitched a complete-game shutout against Ida Baker, striking out 12 and allowing three hits.

Kap Owens, freshman, Bishop Verot tennis: Owens clinched berths in the state tournament with victories at No. 1 singles and doubles at the District 2A-11 championship. He paired with Zak Gibson in doubles.