Latest news with #Region4-3A
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Somerset Silver Palms softball keeps routine intact: Chick-Fil-A and a trip to state
Who knows. Maybe a trip to Chick-fil-A is the secret. For the fourth consecutive year, two of the best softball teams in the state, Miami Somerset Silver Palms and Coral Springs Charter squared off in the Region 4-3A final. About as evenly matched as you can get, the two teams, ranked 1 and 2 in the state in Class 3A and No. 4 (Charter) and No. 7 (Silver Palms) regardless of classification, once again turned in an instant classic. And for the third straight year, it was Silver Palms, each time as the No. 2 seed on the road, which frustrated the Panthers, pulling off a down-to-the-wire 4-3 victory at Cypress Park in Coral Springs. It also marked the third straight year that Silver Palms coach Gator Rebhan has turned it into a little bit of a mini-road trip for his players. Leaving early in the day, the Stallions made the long drive north, stopped off for the team's pregame meal at a nearby Chick-fil-A, capped it off with some ice cream and then headed to the field a few hours early to start their preparations for the big game. The net result was 1-0 and 4-2 wins each of the last two years and then Thursday's victory. 'Chick-fil-A, that's our winner right there,' said a euphoric Rebhan following the game. 'That's been our routine the last two years, what we did again today and I've got news for you, if we're back up here again next year like we've been the last three years, we'll be back at Chick-fil-A again. I won't break that routine.' For the third straight year, the Stallions (22-6) punched their ticket to the state final four and will head north as the No. 1 seed and take on No. 4 Dunedin in a Class 3A state semifinal on May 21 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando. After a runner-up finish two years ago and losing in the semifinals last season, Silver Palms will look to bring home its first state title this time. 'Let's go up there and bring back the big trophy this time,' Rebhan told his excited players when they huddled up in left field after the game. Silver Palms did it in comeback fashion. After seeing an early 2-0 lead disappear when Charter (23-4) rallied to score three times in the bottom of the fourth, the Stallions answered that by scoring twice in the fifth and then, thanks to some clutch pitching from Ava Stevens, hung on for the win. Taylor Rebhan got the fifth started by drawing a leadoff walk and Stevens followed with an infield single. After Leilani Gonzalez hit into a force out, Caylee Cerda, an eighth grader, laced a base hit to left scoring Stevens from second, who barely beat the throw at the plate and the game was tied. With runners on second and third and two outs, a changeup from Charter pitcher Courtney Wahlbrink was low, but nothing catcher Heather Robertson couldn't handle. But the ball hit the front of the plate and popped up over Robertson's head to the backstop and Gonzalez raced home for what turned out to be the game-deciding run. Facing the No. 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup in the bottom of the seventh, Stevens induced two fly balls to right to record the first two outs before Wahlbrink lined a base hit to center to keep the Panther hopes alive. But Cerda handled a sharp grounder to third by Shelby Stephens and cooly fired to first for the final out. 'I knew I needed to keep the ball low in that last inning because they had their best hitters up and didn't want to give up anything deep,' said Stevens, a senior who has been on the team since sixth grade. 'Coming up here and beating this them again on their field is amazing. We know they're a really good team and that it's tough to beat them on their field but having done it the last few years, that builds your confidence that you can come up here and do it again and that's exactly what we did.' Wahlbrink, Stephens and Addi Brown led off Charter's fourth inning with consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs. Just when it looked like Stevens would work her way out of the jam, Addi Michel and Bree Martinelli came through with 2-out base hits which brought in three runs. 'Sometimes – you just have somebody's number and right now, the last three years, we've had their number,' Rebhan said. 'Charter's a great team, ranked number one for a reason. What's really unfortunate is that these two teams have to meet in this round every year because, other than 6A with Doral, if we were in separate classifications, we'd probably both be state champions. It's unfortunate that one of us has to go home every year.' On the other end of the spectrum, Charter coach Mark Montemurro was the picture of frustration. Sitting quietly in the dugout while his players sobbed and hugged each other, Montemurro, who led the Panthers to a state record-tying five straight state titles from 2015-19, could only lament on coming up short for a third straight season. 'We actually outhit them 9 to 7 and then we get a ball that hits the front of the plate that brings in the game-deciding run,' Montemurro said. 'What really killed us was that our No. 3 and 4 hitters went a combined 0-for-7 at the plate and when you lose a game by one run, that can be the difference.'
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Columbus, Divine Savior boys' volleyball in region finals. Plus basketball honors, region softball, more boys' volleyball
The Miami Columbus boys' volleyball team won two games in regionals, after losing a close battle to Miami High in the District 15-3A finals. The Stingarees (20-7) won the district title 25-22, 31-29, 25-21, after losing three times to Columbus in the regular season. Both teams advanced to regionals. Miami High beat Davie Western 25-23, 25-19, 25-21 in a Region 4-3A quarterfinal but then was eliminated by Miami Southwest 25-21, 25-12, 18-25, 25-20 in a Region 4-3A semifinal. The Explorers (26-3) beat Pembroke Pines West Broward 25-21, 23-25, 25-18, 25-15 in a Region 4-3A quarterfinal and Weston Cypress Bay 33-31, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 in a Region 4-3A semifinal. Columbus will play Southwest (23-5) for the region title. The Explorers are 2-0 against Southwest this season. ▪ Region 4-3A Quarterfinal: Columbus d. West Broward 25-21, 23-25, 25-18, 25-15: Lucas Riva 14 kills, 2 aces, 1 block, 5 digs; Marco Blavia 12 kills, 2 aces, 1 block, 5 digs; Dante Muñecas 11 kills, 3 aces, 2 digs; Daniel Rubi 9 kills, 1 ace, 1 block, 3 digs; Matthew Fernandez 9 digs, 1 ace; Charlie Friguls 49 assists, 1 ace, 1 block, 3 digs. Col 25-3, WB 12-7. ▪ Region 4-3A Semifinal: Columbus d. Cypress Bay 33-31, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18: Lucas Riva 22 kills, 1 block, 8 digs; Matias Claure 10 kills, 1 dig, 1 block; Daniel Rubi 9 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs; Marco Blavia 8 kills, 1 assist, 1 block, 4 digs; Dante Muñecas 6 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs; Charlie Friguls 52 assists, 1 ace, 1 kill, 5 digs; Matthew Fernandez 9 digs, 1 assist. Col 26-3, CB 19-7. ▪ Region 4-3A Semifinal: Southwest d. Miami High 25-21, 25-12, 18-25, 25-20: Juanmarco Diaz 21 kills, 2 aces, 13 digs; Dereck Ocasio 13 kills, 9 digs; Kevin Munoz 10 kills, 13 digs, 17 assists; Fabrizio Villa 5 kills; Shia Decastro 16 digs; Nelson Truiz 33 assists. Sw 23-5, MH 20-7. ▪ Region 4-2A Semifinal: Reagan d. Belen Jesuit 25-23, 22-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-13: Yeison Gonzalez 32 kills, 31 serve received, 4 aces, 13 digs; Diego Cobena 18 kills, 16 serve received, 7 digs; Diego Requena 57 assists, 3 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 9 digs; Santiago Mejias 31 serve received, 5 assists, 18 digs; Michael Perez 9 kills, 6 digs; Zhayed Lacruz 5 kills, 2 blocks; William Camacho 3 blocks. Rea 23-4, Bel 13-16. ▪ Region 4-2A Semifinal: Varela d. Mater Lakes Academy 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 15-9: Dylan Reyes 16 kills, 3 aces, 4 digs, 35 serve receive; Jake Colon 10 kills, 4 blocks; Aquilles Lorenzo 8 kills, 4 blocks, 4 digs; Luke Ieremia 7 kills, 4 aces, 5 digs, 22 serve receive; Sebastian Hidalgo 16 digs, 3 aces, 26 serve receive; Gabriel Ramos 23 assists, 6 digs; Jose Santos 19 assists. Var 20-6, MLA 21-8. ▪ Region 3-2A Semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas d. Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia 25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 15-13: Kamaal Medina 15 kills, 2 blocks; Charles Campbell 13 kills, 5 blocks; John Virginio 11 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces, 14 digs, 14 serve receive; Jordan Diaz 10 kills, 2 aces, 18 serve receive; Christian Nicholson 3 kills, 3 blocks; Joseph Virginio 19 digs, 19 serve receive; Elijah Lam 55 assists, 11 digs; Adriano Chiabra 9 digs. STA 16-8, DJG 20-9. ▪ Region 3-1A Semifinal: Divine Savior d. Downtown Doral 25-11, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23: Santiago Lopez 20 kills, 3 aces, 8 digs, 2 blocks, 17 serve receive; Manuel Cueva 27 assists, 10 digs, 4 blocks, 3 kills; Luis Fuenmayor 9 kills, 5 blocks, .412 hitting percentage; Kingston Leyrer 22 serve receive, 11 digs; Kevin Chen 19 serve receive, 9 digs, 2 aces. DS 13-6, DD 11-7. Region softball The Miami Westminster Christian softball team shut out Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 11-0 in a Region 4-2A quarterfinal game. Coral Springs Charter and Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms won in 3A. ▪ Region 4-2A Quarterfinal: Westminster Christian 11, Chaminade-Madonna 0: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 4 IP, 0 R, 1H, 1 BB, 6 K; Pitcher Mya Rodgers 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K; Jasmine Armenteros 2-3, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Kelsie Kenney 2-2, 3 SB, 2 R; Gigi Khoury 1-2, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI; Mya Rodgers 1-2, HBP, 2 R; Kaley Dyer 1-3, R; Erin Perez 1-1, BB, 2 R; Gaby Perez 1-2, 2B; Molly Diaz 1-1. WC 18-7-1, CM 9-12. ▪ Region 4-2A Quarterfinal: Florida Christian 4, WPB King's Academy 1: Winning Pitcher Shaun Fernandez 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K; P Serena Gillen 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K; Shaun Fernandez 2-3, RBI; Kianny Gil 2-3, RBI; Charlee Arana 1-2, 2 BB, 2 SB, R, RBI; Emma Medina 0-2, BB, SF, RBI. FC 18-8, KA 15-7. ▪ Region 4-1A Quarterfinal: Schoolhouse Prep 15, Berean Christian 0: Winning Pitcher Samantha Torres 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K; P Analys Uriarte 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K; P Ivanna Bulbarela 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K; Analys Uriarte 2-3, R, 3 RBI; Angelly Benitez 2-2, R, 3 RBI; Valeria Vazquez 2-2, 3B, 2 BB, 3 R, RBI; Dulce Palacios 1-1, BB, HBP, 2 R; Michelle Dominguez 2-2, HBP, 2 R. SP 14-9, BC 8-11. ▪ Region 4-1A Quarterfinal: Academy for Innovation 10, Port St. Lucie Morningside Academy 9: AIE 10-7, Mor 15-7. ▪ Region 4-1A Quarterfinal: Miami Christian 18, Merritt Island 1: MC 14-8, MI 8-10. ▪ Region 4-1A Quarterfinal: Westminster Academy 14, Mater Bay Academy 0: WA 16-11, MBA 9-14. ▪ Region 4-3A Quarterfinal: Coral Springs Charter 15, Mater Lakes Academy 0: Winning Pitcher Sophia Bertorelli 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K; P Emma Ruiz 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K; Gio Gurgel 3-3, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; Mia Rodriguez 2-2, BB, R, 4 RBI; Tiggy Courtney 2-2, BB, 2 R; Addi Michel 1-1, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Courtney Wahlbrink 1-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Heather Robertson 1-2, BB, R, RBI. CSC 22-3, MLA 8-8. ▪ Region 4-3A Quarterfinal: St. Brendan 9, Pompano Beach 0: Winning Pitcher Jules Miranda 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K; Coral Latshaw 3-3, 2B, BB, 3 SB, 4 R; Rachel Rodriguez 2-3, BB, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI; Abigail Fernandez 2-4, 2B, RBI; Madisyn Llerandi 2-4, 2B, 2 R; Taylor Nielson 2-3, 2B, HBP, R, RBI. StB 15-11, PB 14-12. ▪ Region 4-3A Quarterfinal: Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms 2, Naples Aubrey Rogers 0: Som 20-6, AR 14-14. ▪ Region 4-3A Quarterfinal: Cardinal Gibbons 4, LaBelle 1: Winning Pitcher Lydia Berent 4 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 16 K; Skylar Flack 1-3, 2B, RBI, 18 putouts, 1 assist; Elena Elash 1-3, 2B, R; Lydia Berent 1-3, R; Sloane Schaefer 1-2, HBP, R, RBI; Caroline Findley 1-2, R; Morgan Beavers 0-3, RBI. CG 22-5, LaB 12-12. ▪ Region 4-4A Quarterfinal: Plantation American Heritage 4, Okeechobee 2: Winning Pitcher Isabella Benton 6.2 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K; P Lyric Rodriguez 0.1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 K; Mia West 2-3, HR, R, 3 RBI; Bria Villano 1-3, R: Kylie Diaz 0-2, Sac, RBI; Arianna Reynolds 0-2, BB, 2 SB, R. AH 20-2, Okee 9-15. ▪ Region 4-4A Quarterfinal: Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 7, American 0: Winning Pitcher Caitlyn Diaz 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 12 K; Katie Bailey 3-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI; Emily Munoz 3-3, 2B, 3B, HBP, 4 RBI; Kelsey Gonzalez 2-4, 3 R; Kiera Carbone 1-3, BB, 2 R. Som 11-12-1, Amer 15-9. ▪ Region 4-4A Quarterfinal: Archbishop McCarthy 7, Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia 1: Winning Pitcher Sienna Garcia 7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 13 K; Lydia Springer 2-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Sophia Jimenez 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Lyra Heberling 0-2, R, RBI; Alexis Nightingale 1-3, 2B, R. AM 15-7, DJG 12-12. ▪ Region 4-4A Quarterfinal: Key West 7, Naples Barron Collier 1: Winning Pitcher Brianna Brenner 7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 14 K; Skye Sterling 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI; Shylo Sanchez 2-3, HR, R, RBI; Lilee Gage 2-3, R; Aaliyah Mcleod 1-2, BB, R; Tavyn Gage 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Kaleya Cervantes 1-2, R. KW 15-7, BC 12-10. Basketball state honors Source Hoops presents the 2024-25 Boys' Class 1A and Class 2A All-State Teams. Fifteen players represent the best of the best for those high schools that participate in Class 1A of FHSAA boys' hoops, and 15 more who compete in Class 2A. Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state and without regard to a player's travel team or high school affiliation or his ranking by other outlets. Weston Sagemont (22-8), which won its third consecutive FHSAA state title, was well represented as was Miami Riveria Prep, which also won its third consecutive state championship. Players from Hialeah Educational Academy, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Country Day, and Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy also made the standout list. ▪ 1A FIRST TEAM Matt Able, 6-4 Sr, Weston Sagemont Patrick Liburd, 6-5 Sr, Weston Sagemont Toni Bryant, 6-9 Jr, North Tampa Christian Landen Harwood, 6-2 Sr, Lake Worth Christian Mario Forbes, 6-8 Sr, Tallahassee St. John Paul II 1A SECOND TEAM Kevin Thomas, 6-6 Jr, Weston Sagemont Asa Rogosich, 6-0 Sr, Fort Myers Southwest Fla Chr Quinton Wilson, 6-2 Fr, Lakeland Victory Christian Ron Clark, 5-10 Jr, Jacksonville Impact Christian Caleb Sanders, 6-6 Sr, North Tampa Christian 1A THIRD TEAM Aeris Lawson, 6-2 Sr, Boca Raton Grandview Prep Julian DeClou, 6-4 Jr, Orlando Central Florida Chr Mike Muscrella, 6-2 Soph, WPB Atlantic Christian Justis Clements, 6-2 Jr, Jacksonville Eagle's View Anthony Knowles, 6-1 Sr, Weston Sagemont --- ▪ 2A FIRST TEAM Alex Lloyd, 6-4 Sr, Ft. Laud. Westminster Academy Tate Darner, 6-4 Sr, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic Jasen Lopez, 6-0 Jr, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Mason Fuentes, 6-0 Jr, Miami Riviera Prep Myles Fuentes, 6-0 Soph, Miami Riviera Prep 2A SECOND TEAM Alex Constanza, 6-8 Jr, Ft. Laud. Westminster Acad. Jeremy Jenkins, 6-8 Soph, Miami Riviera Prep Jayden Petit, 6-5 Jr, Naples First Baptist Academy Josiah Brooks, 6-2 8th Grade, Hialeah Edu. Academy Lyrique Sartin, 6-0 Sr, Riverview Bell Creek Academy 2A THIRD TEAM Jonathan Powell, 6-3 Sr, Daytona Beach Father Lopez J'London Bivens, 6-1 Sr, Tampa Prep Toby Lane, 5-10 Jr, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic Chaim Galbut, 6-6 Sr, Miami Country Day Josh Pitts, 6-1 Sr, Oviedo The Master's Academy College signings Miami High's five starters on the boys' basketball team and two top reserves have earned college scholarships. The list includes: Romari Robinson (NCAA Division I Sacramento State); Aaron Richard (NJCAA Chipola); Joseph Jean (NJCAA Eastern Wyoming); Absalon Cortes (NCAA Division II Holy Family University in Philadelphia); Joseph Murillo, Miguel Charles and Eddy Bonilla (NAIA Florida Memorial). All-County Ballots High school coaches of spring varsity sports should have received their ballots to send Miami Herald All-Dade and Miami Herald All-Broward nominees. If you have not received a ballot, email hssports@ Send sports results For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@ --- Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Fueled by quest for redemption, Southwest boys' volleyball headed back to state
From the painful moment, it came up short, it's all the Southwest's boys' volleyball team has thought about. The Eagles saw a seemingly-certain state championship slip through their grasp a year ago in the state final, losing in five sets to Winter Park. 'We've had one thing on our minds from the second we lost,' Southwest co-coach Joshua Perez said. 'We got back. We got in the weight room and we've had that one thing on our minds the entire time.' Southwest wasn't about to let any adversity get in the way of its shot at redemption. The Eagles moved a step closer to it on Tuesday night as they dominated rival Columbus for a 25-19, 25-12, 26-24 victory in the Region 4-3A final at the Explorers' gym. But the path to return to state wasn't a typical one. Southwest experienced a bit of role reversal throughout the 2025 season. While the Eagles, four-time state champions and state runners-up last season, are still one of the state's best teams, losing twice to Columbus during the regular season had them on the road for the third and decisive encounter instead of hosting as they often do in such important games. And then on Tuesday, another role reversal. Columbus' most prolific hitter, junior Lucas Riva, went down with an ankle injury in the opening moments of the match. Suddenly, the Eagles went from underdogs back to favorites against a shorthanded Columbus squad. But Southwest wasn't about to let its guard down. Led by senior Juanmarco Diaz, who had over 15 kills, the Eagles took control and never let up to secure a spot in next week's state semifinal at Polk State College in Winter Haven where they will face Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge on Friday at 7. The winner will face either Winter Park or Winter Garden Horizon on Saturday in the final at 7. 'First of all, I hope Lucas gets better soon,' Diaz said. 'We went and prayed for him. It would have been even better with him on the court. But when he went down, we knew we had to take over. We've been studying this team all week and learning how to overcome it after they beat us twice this season.' Diaz and the frontline of Kevin Munoz and Dereck Ocasio kept pressure throughout the match on Columbus' attack and helped the Eagles put together sustained runs to secure the first two sets. The Explorers trailed 22-19 in the third before battling back to tie the set at 23 and again at 24. 'Those guys are so well-coached and they fought,' Perez said. 'They have a great program, and have been up and coming. It was 'next man up' on that side and they never made it easy from the first whistle until now.' Southwest responded with two strong defensive plays and a final kill to secure the match. '(Riva) going down changed everything,' Diaz said. 'We had control in the second set, but we knew they'd come back in the third and fight for him. We didn't let that happen. 'At Southwest, it's always about making it to state and enjoying it. It's my last year and I'm not gonna back down.' MORE RESULTS Region 4-2A final - Reagan d. Varela 23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-20: The Bison (24-4) rallied after losing the first set to clinch their first ever trip to the state final four. Reagan will be the top seed at state in Class 2A and take Gulf Breeze in a semifinal on Friday at 1 at Polk State College in Winter Haven. The winner will face the winner of Riviera Beach Suncoast and Winter Park Lake Howell in the final on Saturday at 4. Region 3-2A final - Riviera Beach Suncoast d. St. Thomas Aquinas 25-13, 25-22, 25-23 Region 3-1A final - JC Bermudez d. Divine Savior 25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 21-25, 15-13: The Thunder (14-3) secured their first trip to the state tournament in any team sport with the grueling five set win at Doral Legacy Park. JC Bermudez will be the No. 4 seed and take on top-seeded West Palm Beach Kings Academy in a state semifinal on Thursday at 7 at Polk State College in Winter Haven. Kings Academy eliminated Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons in five sets (22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 15-12) in the Region 2-1A final on Tuesday.
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.'
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
St. Brendan baseball moves within one series victory from state final four
Two days after letting an opportunity slip away, the St. Brendan baseball team was not about to let it happen again. The Sabres, who dropped a one-run, extra-inning heartbreaker on their home field in Game two of a Region 4-3A best-of-3 semifinal series with Miami Killian, traveled to the Cougars' home field Thursday afternoon. St. Brendan took maximum advantage of a struggling Killian pitching staff that went through five pitchers and doled out a total of 12 walks to cruise to an easy 9-3 victory in Game 3. The Sabres (19-13) advance to the regional final for only the third time in program history and first time since 2013. The No. 6 seed in the region, St. Brendan will travel to take on top-seeded Miami Springs for a best-of-3 series beginning Monday at 3:30 p.m. in hopes of securing their first trip to the state final four since they won the state title in 1983. 'We've been grinding these games out throughout the playoffs and today was more of the same,' St. Brendan coach Jorge Robles said. 'We just get out there and go seven innings as hard as we can, take it pitch by pitch and today we found a way to grinding things out again.' The Sabres batted around and scored a pair of runs in the second without recording a single hit as Killian starter Alex Fonseca issued five walks and didn't make it out of the inning. By the time senior catcher Rafael Rizo stepped up to the plate in the top of the fourth, the Sabres led 4-1, (thanks to three more walks, a hit batsmen and a Killian error) and still didn't have a hit yet. That changed when Rizo, with two on and two outs, rocketed a 3-2 pitch into the left field corner for a two-RBI standup double. 'I was just looking for my pitch, something belt high and not chase something down low and he gave it to me,stayed to my approach, got good barrel on it and away it went,' said Rizo of his big hit. 'Tuesday was a really rough game for us, probably our worse game of the playoffs because we had some big errors late in the game that cost us so we were a little down. But there was no time to mope around and sulk. 'We had to pull our heads together quickly and not dwell on that and we did that out there today.' It was a choppy day for St. Brendan starter Gianncarlo Guzman but, like his team, he managed to muddle his way through five-plus innings of work while giving up just one run despite walking five and yielding five hits. 'He wasn't perfect out there but made the right pitches at the right time,' said Robles of Guzman. 'They (Killian) were looking for fast balls all day long but his best pitch is the slider and that's what got him through.' After he recorded the first out of the sixth inning, Guzman maxed out on his pitch count and Robles went to his bullpen. Trailing 7-1, the Cougars (15-15) seized the opportunity by wrapping out three hits, scoring a run and still had the bases loaded with only one out and the top of the order coming up. But Matthew Garcia then entered and got Kendry Blanco to foul out to third base and Lucas Arcaute to line out to center to end the inning and the threat. 'We're excited to be moving on and looking forward to taking on a great team in Miami Springs,' Robles said. 'They've had a great season so far know that it will be a challenge for us. We're just going to go in there, put nine guys out on the field and play as hard as we can play.'
