Miami Christian ready for three-game series

JOHN VANBEEKUM / MIAMI HERALD STAFF Pitcher Felix Roque is at the heart of Miami Christian's success, going 9-5 with 128 strikeouts and just 18 walks.

Miami Christian's baseball players often have been called a track-and-field team this year by their fellow students.

With a roster of just 12 players, the Victors ran for nearly two hours a day last summer to get in condition for the season.

''We needed that kind of endurance to be able to stay healthy with so few players,'' Miami Christian pitcher Felix Roque said. ``What's funny is our school doesn't have a track team.''

Two more victories would give Miami Christian a state-bound baseball team, however.

The Victors (19-10) will try to secure their bid Friday, when they play host to Pompano Beach Highlands Christian in the best-of-3 Region 4-2A championship series. The first game begins at 1 p.m., with the second to follow 30 minutes after. If the teams split, a decisive third game would be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at Miami Christian.

Miami Christian last made it to state in 1975, when it won the Class 1A state championship.

Roque, a junior right-hander, is at the heart of the team's success, going 9-5 with 128 strikeouts and just 18 walks. He also has picked off 12 baserunners.

Roque already has attracted interest from major college baseball programs, such as Miami, Florida State, North Carolina State, Florida and Florida International.

''Roque's always had a good fastball that tops around 92 mph, but he relied on it too much last year,'' Miami Christian coach Armondo Rodriguez said. ``He's developed his slider and changeups and is throwing them a lot harder this season, which has made him more effective.

``It's not often you see power pitchers with the kind of control he displays. Everything he throws is cutting and sliding and moving.''

Roque did not pitch the first time Miami Christian faced Highlands Christian this season. That game ended in a 3-0 loss and came during a difficult stretch of 10 losses in 17 games that followed a 9-0 start.

But the Victors have turned their fortunes around down the stretch, winning seven consecutive games.

Rodriguez said the streak began after a lineup change that put senior infielder Jairo Acevedo (.350, 32 RBI) to the leadoff spot and senior second baseman Derek Peña (.400, 40 hits) to the fifth spot.

''[Acevedo] started getting on base a lot more and that created more chances for the top of our order to get us going early in games,'' Rodriguez said.

Led by Miguel Leon's three-run homer, Miami Christian hit four home runs in a victory against Westminster Christian to win the District 16-2A title.

Miami Christian's best hitting has come from senior outfielders Eric Saavedra (.472, 30 RBI) and Leo Parrondo (.450, 4 HR, 38 RBI).

''The solid hitting has carried over to every one,'' Saavedra said. ``I think with the order we have now, we complement each other better top to bottom in the lineup.''

The Victors also have not allowed a run through the first two regional rounds. Senior Chris Rodriguez, a Barry University signee, pitched a shutout against Curley, and Roque defeated Dade Christian 4-0.

''If Roque can do what he's been able to do all year, he can get us started,'' Rodriguez said. ``The beauty of it is we may not have a lot of players overall on the team, but every one of them has gained experience in big-game situations.''

SPORTS BANQUET

The Miami Touchdown Club will have its Outstanding High School Players and Coaches Awards reception Monday at the Miami Springs Country Club. The players who will be honored are Northwestern quarterback Jacory Harris, Booker T. Washington defensive back Brandon Harris, Monsignor Pace offensive lineman Gregory Shaw, and Dade Christian defensive back Shawn Abuhoff.

The coaches honored will be Northwestern's Billy Rolle and Tim Harris, formerly of Booker T. Three Miami-Dade football coaches who recently retired also will be recognized: Carol City's Walt Frazier, Hialeah-Miami Lakes' Jerry Hughes and Varela's Clark Eakes. Former Miami Hurricane Don Bailey, Jr. will be the event's host. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. and is $35. For reservations, call 305-477-1815.

SIGNINGS

Four Belen football players signed with colleges recently. Kicker Iñigo Abaroa, a first team All-Dade selection, signed with Temple University. Wide receiver Michael Rios signed with Marist.

Quarterback Chris Henry and linebacker Nick Herrera signed with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Region 4-6A final at Monsignor Pace: Goleman vs. Southridge, Game 1: 4 p.m.; Game 2: 30 minutes following first game's completion.

Region 4-2A final: Pompano Beach Highlands Christian at Miami Christian, Game 1: 1 p.m.; Game 2: following first game's completion.

Region 4-1A final at Lantana Santaluces: Brito vs. Lake Worth Trinity Christian, Game 1: 4 p.m.; Game 2: following first game's completion.