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Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Springs' Fanshawe and Mater Academy's Bencomo are Dade Baseball Coaches of the Year
The list is probably a short one. Coaches who have won a state baseball championship as a head coach, assistant coach and a player. It's one that David Fanshawe joined a few weeks ago when he watched his Miami Springs team complete a dream season. The Golden Hawks went 20-3 during the regular season, rolled to six straight regional playoff wins in Class 3A and then upset both Fort Myers Bishop Verot and Santa Rosa Beach South Walton to win not only the program's first state title, but the first state championship for the school in any sport in nearly four decades. For that, Fanshawe is the Miami Herald's Class 4A-1A Dade Baseball Coach of the Year. Fanshawe, who just completed his ninth season at Springs came over from Brito Miami Private in 2016 where he won back-to-back state titles as an assistant under Pedro Guerra in 2014-15. It was also the same place he won it as a player when he was on the mound as the winning pitcher in the 2006 championship game when Brito edged Jacksonville Eagle's View 4-3. 'The sport of baseball has been awfully good to me,' Fanshawe said. 'I've had some great experiences at a couple of great programs. I guess maybe I'm one to add to that list if there is one. The nicest thing about what we just did is that I got to watch those kids get to experience what I experienced as a player in high school.' Speaking of short lists, with Fanshawe's two players, Kevin Roque and Magdiel Estevez nailing down Pitcher and Player of the Year honors, respectively, Springs completed the Herald's triple sweep with him getting Coach of the Year. 'It's an honor to be recognized but obviously if it weren't for these kids and what they accomplished, there would be no coach of the year award for me,' Fanshawe said. 'They played their hearts out for me and the coaching staff and in order to have this success, you need to have great assistants as well which I was lucky to have.' For Humberto Bencomo, Mater Academy's state title in Class 5A was the program's second, but his first, as a head coach, assistant or player. For that accomplishment, Bencomo is the Herald's 7A-5A Coach of the Year. 'I'm truly humbled and honored to be recognized like this,' Bencomo said. 'This recognition is not just about me, it's a testament to the incredible heart and dedication of my players and coaches, the unwavering support from our administrators and the constant encouragement from our parents. Without all of that, none of this happens.' The Lions, who won their first championship in 2014, overcame a 1-5 start to the season, rolled to six straight regional playoff wins and then upended Fort Myers 8-5 in the state semifinal (battling back from an early 5-0 deficit) before defeating Wesley Chapel 6-1 for the title. 'In baseball you have to be willing to do whatever it takes,' Bencomo said. 'Whether it's a clutch hit, a perfect bunt, or a diving catch. That's what makes a championship team and that's exactly what we showed this past season.'
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Results are in. Miami Springs baseball standout voted Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week
Miami Springs baseball player Magdiel Estevez is the Miami Herald's High School Athlete of the Week, as voted on by readers in our weekly poll. The senior allowed just one run on two hits and four walks over seven innings (complete game), while striking out six including the final three batters as the Golden Hawks (28-3) edged Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 2-1 to win the Class 3A state championship. It marked the school's first state title in baseball. Meagan Villazon, Doral Academy softball; Kathleen Serig, Gulliver Prep water polo; Isabella Benton, Plantation American Heritage softball; Dane Fox, Westminster Academy water polo; Ava Stevens, Somerset Silver Palms softball; and RJ Machado, Plantation American Heritage baseball rounded out the nominees.
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Springs baseball wins state title, breaks school's 37-year title drought
Even though there were plenty of fans in the stands making a lot of noise, Magdiel Estevez heard none of it. He knelt down behind the pitchers mound, dropped his head, closed his eyes and shut off the rest of the world. The Miami Springs senior pitcher was about to pitch what he hoped was the last inning of his high school career and the most important one. He needed a moment. With the pressure of an entire team, school, alumni and community on his shoulders and the Golden Hawks nursing a one-run lead and three outs away from making history, all he did was deliver in a remarkably clutch way. Estevez not only retired the side in order but struck out all three batters he faced, sending his Hawks teammates running to the middle of the field for the traditional dog pile celebration. Miami Springs edged Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 2-1 in the Class 3A state championship game at Hammond Stadium. South Walton, which also was a state runner-up a year ago, losing in the final to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, brought a 31-3 record and a No. 1 Class 3A state ranking into the game. But just 24 hours after upsetting hometown favorite Fort Myers Bishop Verot in the semifinal, Springs once again relished the underdog role and delivered. And with it came the school's first state championship in any sport since 1988 when the Hawks' girls' soccer team defeated Melbourne in February, 1988. It also was only the second state title for any program in the last 55 years dating all the way back to boys swimming in 1970. Springs also became only the third Miami-Dade County public school team to win a state title over the last 22 years, joining South Dade and American who both won it in 2014. 'I don't really like to pray for hits, strikeouts or wins,' said Estevez, a Miami-Dade College signee who was nothing short of brilliant, allowing just two hits over his seven innings of work while striking out six including those final three. 'My prayer to the Lord was mainly, 'put your hands over me and I need you to guide me at this moment.' I know that, win or lose no matter the outcome that people would love me regardless. That really helped me find peace at that moment. Such a big blessing to be here and be a part of something so special today. I thank God that he allowed me to perform the way I did today and that I was blessed with such great teammates.' He's right about those great teammates. As great as Estevez was, he was the first to make sure his infielders got recognized. And for good reason. The Hawks' infield of third baseman Jordany Gonzalez, shortstop Roydan Perez and second baseman Yordan Torres have been nothing short of brilliant all season long. And on a day that they needed to be at their best, they delivered, especially Gonzalez who had a stretch in the fourth and fifth inning that might have reminded some of Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson in the 1970 World Series. Over a six-batter span, Gonzalez made four incredible defensive plays, two of them diving to his left to throw South Walton runners out and prevent the Seahawks from mounting any kind of a rally. 'Everytime Mags (Estevez) has gone out on the mound this season, he would leave everything on the field for us,' Gonzalez said. 'So today it was my turn and our entire infield's turn to leave everything on the field for him. It all starts in practice. You work day-after-day-after-day taking ground ball after ground ball and it prepares you for moments like today. So it was just a matter of all of us doing our job out there and protecting our pitcher.' Springs coach David Fanshawe, completing his ninth season since taking over the program in 2016, could not have praised his pitcher more. 'Magdiel, the way he pitched today was basically the way he has pitched for us all year,' Fanshawe said. 'Coming into this game I saw just how calm he was out there. Like all season, he never would get rattled no matter how big the moment was and the moment didn't get any bigger for him than it was out there today. He was truly magnificent at the most important time we needed him to be.' Going up against some impressive South Walton starting pitching, unlike the 12-2 mercy rule win over Bishop Verot on Monday, offense would be tough to come by for the Hawks. The Seahawks threw University of Florida commit Braxton Varnes out there to start the game before Auburn-bound Coleman Barthwick replaced him in the third inning. But Springs designated hitter Taylor Ancheta didn't seem to be impressed with either one. Because somebody who had not hit a home run in over a year, stunned even perhaps himself when the lefty got a Varnes fastball in the second inning and launched it over the right field fence for a solo home run and 1-0 Hawks lead. 'Honestly, the whole thing is still kind of a blur right now,' said Ancheta with a wry smile. 'I got a first pitch fast ball down and in and I just turned on it and got barrel on it. Honestly, I couldn't believe I hit it that far. I knew it was gone when it when it left the bat.' Desperately needing an insurance run, after squandering a golden chance when No. 9 hitter Justin Mercado led off the fourth inning with a triple into the right field corner and wound up not scoring, the Hawks plated that valuable run in the top of the sixth. With runners on first and second and two outs, Torres ripped a shot right at South Walton first baseman Jaie Cunningham who could not handle the sharp grounder as the ball trickled into shallow right field. Perez never slowed down, flying around third and crossing the plate without a throw to make it 2-0. The run proved to be the difference as the Seahawks touched Estevez for their only run in the game in a tense bottom of the sixth. After Hudson Quinn led off the inning with only the team's second hit of the game, he was sacrificed down to second, Estevez walked leadoff hitter Frank Wells. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third before Cameron Tipton-Thomas hit a ground ball out to second scoring Quinn from third and advancing Wells to third. With the tying run 90 feet away, Varnes, the team's No. 4 hitter hit a line drive to right but Andres Suarez was right there to cooly make the catch to end the inning. 'Not yet,' said Fanshawe when asked if what his team has just accomplished for the school and the community had sunk in yet. 'I just want my team to enjoy this moment and try and embrace the history. We knocked off two very good teams, we have a lot of people back home in Miami Springs waiting for us. School, community, my ex players, my phone is blowing up right now which is so great.'
CBS News
13-05-2025
- CBS News
Loaded handgun stolen in string of Miami Springs overnight break-ins caught on video
A Miami Springs neighborhood is on high alert after a string of car burglaries was caught on surveillance video early Tuesday morning. One of the incidents ended with a loaded handgun being stolen from an unlocked vehicle, police said. Caught on video Miami Springs Police released surveillance footage showing a suspect, described as a "car hopper," trying to open multiple car doors in the 1000–1200 blocks of Wren and Plover Avenues between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. Tuesday. Officers said at least three vehicles were broken into, all of which were left unlocked. The department is urging residents to lock their vehicles, remove valuables, and review any home security footage for suspicious activity. Victim's wife speaks out One of the victims, whose loaded Glock 9 handgun was taken from his vehicle, is now speaking out. Janette Losada told CBS News Miami: "They broke into my husband's vehicle and went through one door at 2:30, and then we got another notification that they went into the car again at 2:45 in the morning and they stole items out of the vehicle." "I am mortified, first of all, for the safety of my family and for the safety of everyone. Now, a criminal has a weapon he obtained illegally. This was a registered weapon. My husband had a concealed weapons permit. Now, through a comedy of errors, it was accidentally left in the car." Neighbors on edge The break-ins have left residents shaken. "Definitely do not leave anything of value inside your car," said Mauriett Chayeb. "One of my neighbors left a laptop and valuables in her car and they robbed it right away. So don't leave anything in your car of value. It is very concerning because normally, Miami Springs is very safe. I hope they catch the perpetrators." Neighbor Gil Santana added, "Keep your door locked and be vigilant." Lynda Firth echoed the same advice: "I always keep my car doors locked and my house doors locked." Suspect still at large Police said the suspect fled on foot. It remains unclear if other residents were victimized. Authorities are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with information or video footage to come forward.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Estevez's gem powers Miami Springs to first trip to state baseball final four since 2019
Miami-Dade High Schools Estevez's gem powers Miami Springs to first trip to state baseball final four since 2019 Special to the Miami Herald The Miami Springs baseball team started its season in Fort Myers three months ago. And the Golden Hawks are going to finish it there as well. Six years after making a first-ever trip to the state final four, Springs is headed back again following an impressive 5-0 shutout victory over St. Brendan in Game two of a Region 4-3A final on Wednesday afternoon at Springs' Shelly Dunkel Field. The win finished off an outstanding three-week run by the Hawks who entered as the region's No. 1 seed and finished a perfect 6-0 on their home field. Along the way, they outscored their three opponents, iMater Academy, Monsignor Pace and St. Brendan by a composite score of 39-7. Springs (26-3) advances to the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time since 2019 and will play on Monday, May 19 at the Lee Health Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The Hawks will enter as the No. 3 seed and will face either Clearwater Calvary Christian or Fort Myers Bishop Verot who are playing Game 3 of their best-of-3 series in Region 3-3A on Thursday night. If it's Bishop Verot, it would mark a rematch of the two teams who met in Fort Myers to kick off the 2025 season in a Feb. 3 preseason classic. 'Isn't it something how it all started for us in Fort Myers three months ago and now we're going to finish in Fort Myers,' Springs coach David Fanshawe said. 'Hopefully we've got two more wins in us to complete the journey.' Fanshawe said that even though the game didn't count officially, the 8-1 victory over a Bishop Verot team that is currently 26-1 this season was a huge confidence booster for his players. 'Even though it was only a preseason game, we played really well against them that night and beat them decisively,' Fanshawe said. 'I think that our kids got a boatload of confidence from that game and as it turned out, was the launching pad to our season.' One day after winning a 3-2 extra-inning nail-biter over St. Brendan in the first game, there would be no such drama on Wednesday thanks to a brilliant and dominating pitching performance by senior Magdiel Estevez. With an effective slider that St. Brendan hitters simply could not figure out, Estevez was in complete command the entire time, as he struck out 10 Sabre batters, gave up just two hits, and walked just two as the Sabres (19-15) had just two runners reach second base. The only thing keeping Estevez from a complete game shutout was pitch count. With just one batter left, he maxed out at 105 pitches forcing Fanshawe to replace him with reliever Anthony Espinoza, who recorded the final out. 'Maybe I was a little nervous inside but I managed to stay calm all game long and really got out there and found my comfort zone,' said Estevez, a Miami-Dade commit. 'I was excited for the game and the opportunity to come through for my team. I was really getting a lot of movement on my slider, filthy for sure.' Estevez also enjoyed what all pitchers love, especially in a big game – an early lead. The Hawks got him a single run in the first inning and then blew things open when No. 9 hitter Justin Mercado stepped up with the bases loaded in the second and ripped a line shot down the right field line to clear the bases and put the Hawks up 4-0. Miami Springs pitcher Magdiel Estevez dominated from first pitch to last pitch as he gave up just two hits and struck out 10 to lead the Hawks to a 5-0 victory over St. Brendan in the clinching game of the Region 4-3A final series. Bill Daley Special to the Miami Herald 'The early runs were big,' Estevez said. 'When you get a lead that like, it gives you the confidence to make some pitches without the worry of making a mistake and giving up a long ball because you have a little wiggle room. What a cool moment this is for me. You dream about something like this as a little kid playing Little League.' The Hawks, whose only losses this season came to COHEA, Belen Jesuit and Varela in a GMAC semifinal, then got Estevez one more run in the fourth when Yordan Torres, who delivered an RBI game-winning hit in the ninth on Tuesday, came through again with a one-out triple before scoring on a wild pitch. 'Every high school team out there sets this as a goal whey they take the practice field back in January and to realize it, to actually walk through that door to state is just so gratifying,' Springs catcher and senior captain Kelven Perera said. 'All the hard work paid off. Now, we've got some time to get ready and we want to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity in front of us and get two more wins.'
