Columbus, Douglas set for showdown; McCarthy back in playoffs and headed to state

Two longtime South Florida baseball powerhouses will square off Friday as Columbus takes on Marjory Stoneman Douglas at 1 p.m. in a Class 7A state semifinal in Fort Myers.

Columbus (27-4) has won eight in a row and is chasing its third state title.

The Explorers stole 58 bases this season, setting a school record, and hit 42 home runs. Senior shortstop Ariel Garcia (University of Miami signee) led the barrage with 10 of those home runs and 25 stolen bases, while senior left fielder Gabriel Perez (FIU signee) hit .398 with nine home runs.

Douglas, which beat Columbus in the final and won a state and national title in its lone appearance at the final four in 2016, enters the tournament as the highest-ranked Florida team in the nation, fifth overall by Perfect Game.

Douglas can pitch thanks to Perfect Game All-Americans Chris Arroyo, a lefty and FIU signee, and right-handers Christian Rodriguez and University of Florida signee Jake Clement.

And they can hit with a lineup led by third baseman Gavin Conticello (USF signee), center fielder Roman Anthony (Ole Miss signee) and catcher Santiago Ordonez (FSU signee), all of whom are also Perfect Game All-Americans.

“They’re locked in and focused,” Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald said. “We’ve been battle tested all year long, and this tournament won’t be anything new for them.”

Class 5A – Archbishop McCarthy (20-8-2) vs. Naples Barron Collier (19-10), 1, Tuesday

Only a day after finding out they were back in the postseason, the Mavericks are headed to state following a 9-2 victory against Melbourne Eau Gallie in the regional final Wednesday night.

Archbishop McCarthy was forced to vacate the bracket last week by the FHSAA following its 6-5 victory in the previous round against Belen when it was determined that one of its pitchers had exceeded the state’s 105-pitch limit during that game.

According to the FHSAA, McCarthy appealed the ruling last week and was subsequently denied. The FHSAA confirmed to the Miami Herald on Thursday that McCarthy had since been granted a temporary injunction by a judge and therefore permitted to play again.

The ruling could still be reversed, however, it is unlikely any permanent judgments will be made in their case before the state tournament is completed.

And so McCarthy is headed back to the state final four for the first time since its run of seven state championships in eight seasons ended in 2017.

Sophomore right-hander Andrew Ildefonso, who went 3 for 4 with a run and three RBI against Eau Gallie, is McCarthy’s top hitter (.366, 11 doubles, 16 RBI) and one of its best pitchers (10-1, 74 K, 1.45 ERA).

Senior right-hander Adrian Vega (5-4, 58 K, 2.33 ERA) is another while sophomore Antonio Jimenez (.349, 13 RBI) and senior Stefano Molaro (.329, 12 RBI) have been clutch at the plate.

Barron Collier (21-10) will make its third appearance at state since 2016 and won its lone state title in 1997.

Class 3A – Westminster Christian (22-7) vs. Fort Pierce John Carroll (18-9), 1, Monday

Westminster Christian can move into first place all-time ahead of Key West for the most state titles in FHSAA history if it wins its 12th next week.

Westminster Christian features a potent lineup led by Vanderbilt commit Sal Stewart, a junior third baseman, who has hit .564 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI. Senior catcher Jayden Melendez (.382, 9 HR, 33 RBI), an FIU signee, senior outfielder Raenire Benitez (.347, 25 runs) and junior shortstop Rene Ramirez (5 HR, 25 runs) are also key sources of offense.

John Carroll is making its third trip to state since 2016 and seeking its first championship since 1978 and fourth overall.

Class 4A – North Broward Prep (19-10-1) vs. Dunedin (18-12), 7, Monday

The Eagles won each of their three regional playoff games by one run to advance to state for the first time since 2014 and third time in school history.

Senior corner infielder Yoel Tejeda, Jr., a UF signee and 6-7, switch-hitting right-hander, is hitting a team-best .365 with two home runs and 27 RBI. Tejeda has also compiled a 1.25 ERA with 51 strikeouts. Senior right-hander Shane Huntsberger, a Western Carolina signee, is 7-4 with 70 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA.

Dunedin is making its third trip to state since 2017 and seeking its third state championship. It last won a title in 2008.

This story was originally published May 20, 2021 at 5:45 PM.