Heritage reaches state tournament

TOM ERVIN / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD American Heritage's Nick Castellanos (8) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam against Chaminade-Madonna in the third inning in Game 1 of a doubleheader Friday, May 9, 2008. » More Photos

USA Today ranks them No. 2.

Rivals.com has them fifth and MaxPreps.com sixth.

And Baseball America and RISE Magazine? No lower than No. 1 in the nation -- right where they should be, if you ask American-Heritage first baseman/pitcher Eric Hosmer.

Especially after Friday night's regional-final doubleheader.

''I think we proved we're the No. 1 team in the nation,'' Hosmer said.

The reason: Hosmer -- a hard-hitting, hard-throwing senior considered by scouts to be perhaps the best prospect in Florida -- didn't get a hit in either game. Fellow touted prospect Adrian Nieto, a senior catcher, struck out three times in the second game.

But the Patriots (29-2) still swept Chaminade-Madonna (18-15) -- winning the 10-0 and 11-6 -- and they still earned their first trip to state since 2002.

All because, Hosmer said, ``the young guys really stepped it up for us.''

Young guys like freshman Brandon Sedell, who went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs and three RBI in the second game. Or junior Deven Marrero, who also went 3 for 4 with a home run in Game 2, adding a double, two runs and two RBI.

And then there was sophomore designated hitter Nick Castellanos, whose early- and midseason struggles had landed him on the bench for the entirety of each game -- not just between plate appearances.

But, early in the postseason, Castellanos regained coach Todd Fitz-Gerald's trust, and the coach reinserted Castellanos into his starting nine.

''Ever since he's been back in the lineup,'' Fitz-Gerald said, ``he's just tearing the cover off the ball.''

Like on Friday. In American Heritage's five-inning win to open the best-of-three series, Castellanos crushed a grand slam during an eight-run third. Then, with a runner on, the sophomore homered again, invoking the 10-run mercy rule.

JuanCarlos Sulbaran (10-0) threw all five innings to earn the win, with Nieto contributing a two-run RBI double.

The Lions weren't done, though.

Of course, neither was Castellanos.

After three errors in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed Chaminade to tie the score at five, Castellanos again stepped to the plate with runners on. Again he slammed a home run, putting the Patriots up for good, and giving starter Ryan Kahn (9-0) the win.

''My mind was where it needed to be,'' said Castellanos, who finished 4 for 5 with three home runs and nine RBI.

Hosmer pitched the final three innings to earn his fifth save.

For the Lions, sophomore Troy Ambros and senior Mike Bueker each went 3 for 4 with a run in the second game. Junior Jim Hilton (2 for 3, run, RBI in Game 2) and junior Jake Wiesler (2 for 3 in Game 1) also had multihit games on their season's final day.

But the season isn't over for the Patriots, who are headed to Sarasota for the state semifinals, which begin May 19.

That's Step 2, to Hosmer, with Step 1 being a district title.

But this is a three-step program.

''We've got to get Step 3 now,'' Hosmer said. ``We're going [there] to win it. We're not just pleased to be there.''

AMERICAN HERITAGE 10, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 0 (5)

(GAME 1)

Chaminade 000 00 --0 5 1 Am. Heritage 008 02 --10 6 1

WP: JuanCarlos Sulbaran (10-0). LP: Jake Wiesler. Records: AH 28-2, CM 18-14.

AMERICAN HERITAGE 11, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 6

(GAME 2)

Am. Heritage 021 232 1 --11 12 3 Chaminade 020 301 0 --6 10 1

WP: Ryan Kahn (9-0). LP: Joe Hone. SV: Eric Hosmer (5). Records: AH 29-2, CM 18-15.

REGION 6A FINAL

• Lake Worth Park Vista 4-6, Flanagan 2-3 -- When talking about Lake Worth Park Vista, Flanagan assistant coach Joe Chacko put it simply.

''It was their time,'' Chacko said.

It's hard to argue with that. The Cobras entered Friday with a 28-1 record and a 27-game winning streak -- and left at 30-1, with 29 consecutive victories, after beating the visiting Falcons 4-2 and 6-3 in their 6A regional final.

Ultimately, unearned runs -- three in each game -- doomed Flanagan (21-9) to its earliest exit since 2004, when it lost to Cypress Bay in the regional final. The Falcons had a three-year streak of trips to the final four, including state titles in 2005 and 2006.

Flanagan had its chances, though, with Chacko saying, ''We had a lot of fight.'' The Falcons, who fought back from a 6-5 start to win their district and reach the regional final, loaded the bases in the seventh inning of Game 2, bringing the winning run to the plate. But they couldn't capitalize.

Justin Frias and Pichi Torres each went 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI in Game 1. Frias went 1 for 4 with an RBI in Game 2, while Josh Gonzaga went 1 for 3 with a walk and Ian Castro also went 1 for 3.

REGION 4-2A FINAL

• Miami Christian 4-3, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian 3-10 -- The Victors and the Knights split the first two games of a best-of-3 semifinal series Friday and will play a decisive third game Saturday at the Miami Christian.

Miami Christian won game one in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to win 4-3, while the Knights turned up their offense in game two and tied the series with a 10-3 rout.

Miami Christian (20-11) put its best foot forward in the first game, starting their ace pitcher Felix Roque.

The Knights would manufacture a run in the second inning, when Aaron Rodewald hit a zinger down the right field line, putting Highlands Christian up 1-0.

Miami Christian would respond with two runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on two Highlands Christian errors. The first, a late throw by the Knights outfield on a pop fly allowing the Victors to tag up and bring in a run; and the second, a mishandled catch by Highlands Christian along with right field line.

In the second game would turn out to be nothing like the first, as Highlands Christian's (17-12) bats would come alive early and often.

Miami Christian took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Highlands Christian would manufacture four runs in the bottom of the first inning, fueled by the hitting of J.R. Pryor.

Miami Christian pulled to within 4-3 in the third, but that was as close as it would get.

-- J.T. WILCOX

HC 010 001 1 --3 6 2 MC 000 200 2 --4 7 2 GAME 2

HC 402 022 0 --10 8 2 MC 102 000 0 -- 3 5 3