Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

C Pierce Chambers

Team: Calvary Christian Clearwater
Preseason Rank: 5
2018 Record: 30-1
FHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Greg Olsen
Playoff Run: State Runner-up
Returning Starters: 9

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Nolan Hudi, LHP, 2019 (TCU)
Christian Cairo, SS, 2019 (LSU)
Braden Halladay, RHP, 2019 (Penn State)
Josh Emerson, RHP, 2019 (Liberty)
Cam Barrier, LHP, 2019 (Eckerd)
Vince Smith, INF, 2020 (LSU)
Pierce Chambers, C, 2020 (TCU)
Tommy White, 3B, 2021 (NC State)
Tyler Dietz, OF/RHP, 2021 (USF)

X-FACTOR

Nolan Hudi. The TCU recruit has been dominant on the mound, winning 13 games and losing none in 2018. He also batted .278 and can carry Calvary on the mound.

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Mat Nelson
Eric Kennedy
Justin Bench
Ryan Coleman

OUTLOOK
Calvary won a record 60 consecutive games over 2017-2018 season, before losing in the state championship game to Calvary Ft Lauderdale. Returning nine players, including frontline starter Nolan Hudi. Hudi went 13-0 in 2018, allowing 9 runs, 5 earned and striking out 119 in 80 innings pitched. Calvary also return Braden Halladay who went 7-1 and Josh Emmerson who went 4-0 in 2018. Despite losing their top three hitters in Mat Nelson, Eirc Kennedy and Justin Bench, they will look to the talented Christian Cairo to lead the way offensively in 2019. Cairo batter .370 26 RBIs and 2 home runs in 2018. Calvary will look to four talented underclassmen to replace the senior offensive firepower, all of which are already committed to Division 1 school. The perennial power have a depth of talent and experience and are primed for yet another season as potentially one of the top teams in the state.

 RECENT NEWS