American Heritage (19-2) wins in baseball

To hear them say it, one of America's best high school baseball teams doesn't mind losing.

At least when the timing is right.

''It's good, in a way, to lose every once in a while,'' American Heritage first baseman Eric Hosmer said, referring to an eight-inning, 4-3 loss to Palm Beach Central last Wednesday at the Gary Carter National Grand Slam tournament. ``It brings us back down to earth.''

''I think we get a little bit big-headed sometimes,'' senior pitcher Greg Conver's said.

Said coach Todd Fitz-Gerald: ``I think it was good for us.''

Apparently so. Two games later, the nationally touted Patriots are rolling again. They took third in the Grand Slam by dominating Wellington the day after their loss. Then, on Tuesday, they returned to district play with a 9-1 victory at Pompano Beach.

And, as they have done almost all season, the Patriots (19-2) found another way to win. Tuesday's hero: Conver, who is bound for North Carolina State. He overcame a shaky start, an uncomfortable mound and nonstop drizzle to run his record to 5-1.

Of course, Fitz-Gerald saw it coming. After watching Conver's pregame bullpen session, he turned to one of his assistants and offered a prediction:

''He's got no-hit stuff today,'' Fitz-Gerald said.

Not exactly. But close. After Conver struck out the first two batters, Pompano's Pat Grady and Taylor Engle slapped back-to-back singles. Two batters later -- after Conver's throwing error kept the inning going -- Ryan Arnold singled up the middle to tie the score at 1.

So much for the no-hitter. But soon after, so much for the Tornadoes' chances.

Conver quickly regained his composure. He struck out six of seven batters faced in the second and third innings. He gave up only one more hit -- an infield dribbler by Arnold that was erased by a double play.

Restricted by a pitch count, Conver left after five innings. His line: 11 strikeouts, four hits, two walks and one unearned run.

''Conver's like that all the time,'' said Hosmer, an Arizona State signee and an almost-certain major-league draft pick. ``You know going out there as a hitter: Just get him two or three runs, and he's good to go.''

The Patriots got him plenty more, breaking the 1-1 tie in the second inning on a two-run single by Joe Belviso off starter Kyle Bird. An inning later, Hosmer's two-run double put the game well out of reach.

Pompano's biggest highlight came in the fifth when, with runners at first and second, second baseman Jordan Sherman snagged Nick Castellanos' line drive and flipped the ball to shortstop Rafael Diaz, who tossed it to first baseman Griffin Davis for a rare triple play.

That play aside, the Tornadoes (14-6) couldn't contend with the Patriots, who are looking to gain momentum as the playoffs loom.

Their first chance: a home game against Everglades on Thursday, which also could get them to the 20-victory mark -- something Fitz-Gerald called ``a goal you set for your team every year.''

''So that's a great accomplishment, if we can do that,'' Fitz-Gerald said. ``But, ultimately, we're not going to be satisfied until we advance in the playoffs. That's our goal.''

At that point, the Patriots certainly would mind losing.

FLANAGAN 6, PLANTATION 1

Plantation 000 100 0 --1 4 3 Flanagan 410 010 X --6 9 0

WP: Josh Gonzaga (3-2). LP: Kyle Lucas (1-6). Top performers: Gonzaga struck out 13 in six innings, giving up three hits, and Justin Frias went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs. Zach Jackson went 2 for 3 with 2 runs. Records: Flan 14-6, Plan 5-16.

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

BASEBALL

Cardinal Gibbons at Hallandale (at Johnson Park), 3:45

Coconut Creek at Piper, 6:30

Deerfield Beach at Cypress Bay, 6:30

Douglas at Jupiter

Dunwoody (Ga.) at Nova, 7

Matanzas at South Broward, 4

Dunwoody (Ga.) at South Plantation, 3:45