West Orange senior second baseman DeAndre Shelton found a sweet spot batting in the middle of the order over spring break.

“He definitely got going stealing bags, doubles, homeruns, affecting the game in every which way possible which we knew and were waiting for,” Warriors hitting coach Michael Albaladejo said.

Shelton went 9-for-15 at the plate, with 5 RBIs, 3 doubles and a home run—his first of the season.

“I was just having fun and next thing you know I cranked one,” Shelton described. “ I just let it loose, next thing I knew it just flew out –it was a fun experience.”

The switch hitter earned all-tournament MVP honors after guiding his team past Key West, Wellington, Dr. Phillips and Colonial in the Spring Break Slam tournament.

“One of my friends he told me to watch motivational videos and just like have fun,” Shelton said of entering the break. “I know in the beginning I was pressured with scouts and just trying to hit for average but when you are go out there and have fun everything just comes together.”

West Orange started hosting the Spring Break Slam tourney in 2012 but this was the first year the team won it—with the help of Shelton.

“We are trying to set goals where and achieve things that have never been done before –starting with the spring break slam and hopefully state championship,” Albaladejo added.

And those goals not far off after this team fell to eventual 9A State Champions Douglas in the state semis. This time around the Warriors looking to keep the momentum rolling to the finish.

“I would just keep having fun,” Shelton said of extending the run. “When you have fun you play good baseball –we are all talented kids. When we don’t think and come together as a team nobody can really stop us.”

Shelton has signed a national letter of intent to play next year at Stetson.