Flanagan baseball tops Archbishop McCarthy for sixth victory in a row
.JPG "Eric Rivera, of Flanagan High slides safely into third base against Archbishop McCarthy High, Friday, April 10, 2015.")
Flanagan pitcher Gentry Fortuno views his team’s annual clash with fellow state baseball power Archbishop McCarthy as the perfect late-season test.
“We play a lot of good teams, but they’re always the top dogs,” Fortuno said. “They have the pitching and the talent and are always tough to beat.”
Like few other teams in Broward, the state or even the nation in recent years, Flanagan continues to have the Mavericks’ number.
Led by Fortuno’s 11 strikeouts and clutch hits from junior center fielder Eric Rivera, sophomore shortstop Mark Vientos and senior catcher Miguel Presno, the Falcons used a four-run seventh inning to beat host McCarthy 6-2 Friday night.
Flanagan (16-4), which finishes its regular season next week with two more tough games against Lake Worth Park Vista and Taravella, won its sixth consecutive game.
“Gentry’s been a horse for us since he was a ninth-grader,” Flanagan coach Ray Evans said.
“He didn’t really have one of his best pitches [Friday night], so he was mostly going after them with fastballs. He did a great job.”
Tied at 2, Presno ripped a double over left fielder A.J. Hendricks’ outstretched glove to lead off the seventh. After sophomore second baseman Ricky Presno walked, Rivera doubled down the left-field line to give Flanagan a 3-2 lead.
After recording an out, McCarthy reliever Brian Van Belle intentionally walked Vientos to load the bases. Van Belle got senior Hunter Platts to ground to second, but second baseman Andrew Fernandez couldn’t handle it, and the error allowed another run to score.
It was one of four costly errors for Archbishop McCarthy (19-4), which has still managed to put up one of Broward County’s best records despite a roster that includes eight sophomores.
Flanagan’s next two batters — third baseman Arrison Perez and designated hitter Dylan O’Connell — were subsequently hit by pitches to force in two more runs.
The rest was up to Fortuno, who after giving up an early run that came in on his errant pickoff throw to first, settled down and kept McCarthy’s lineup mostly in check. Fortuno walked three but gave up only three hits. His 10th and 11th strikeouts ended the game.
“I was struggling all night trying to find my zone, so I was battling it out the whole way,” Fortuno said. “We had a great game offensively and once we got that good lead [in the seventh], there was no way I was giving it up.”
Vientos put Flanagan ahead 2-1 with a towering solo home run in the fifth. McCarthy answered in the bottom half with a run on a fielder’s choice ground out with the bases loaded by junior center fielder Alex Carballo that followed walks by senior third baseman Fred Matos and Fernandez and a bloop single by junior shortstop Kobe Lopez.
“The big hit for Vientos was clutch and Rivera has been doing that all year,” Evans said. “These games get us going right before the playoffs.”
FL 001 010 4 – 6 7 1
AM 100 010 0 – 2 3 4
WP: Gentry Fortuno (5-2). LP: Brian Van Belle.
▪ Columbus 10, Braddock 2: The road to regionals just got a whole lot easier for the Columbus baseball team.
Columbus clinched the No. 1 seed in District 15-8A with a convincing victory against Braddock at home in the regular-season finale.
The win helps the Explorers (17-5) avoid a district semifinal matchup with Coral Gables and elite pitcher Andrew Cabezas, which is the prospect the Bulldogs (15-7) now face to earn a spot in regionals and reach a district championship game.
But first is GMAC quarterfinals starting Monday where Columbus will host Goleman at 6 p.m. and Braddock will visit American at 3:30.
Senior pitcher and UC-Irvine signee Matt Marini pitched a complete game, giving up two earned runs on seven hits and striking out seven.
Marini came out of a first inning where he surrendered three hits unscathed thanks to left fielder Alain Santana gunning down Braddock leadoff man Willie Padron at the plate to end the threat.
It led to Columbus responding with three runs in the bottom of the frame with Santana and Jackie Urbaez drilling RBI doubles.
Marini then went through a stretch where he retired 11 of 12 batters.
Hernen Sardinas went 2 for 3 with a two-run home run in the third, Chris Vinson went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI and Dominick Reyes put the game away with a two-run single in the fifth.
DAVID FURONES
BRA 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 2 7 0
COL 3 0 2 0 3 2 X — 10 11 0
WP: Marini (8-1). LP: Martinez.
▪ Doral Academy 6, Brito Miami 2:
DA 0 1 3 0 2 0 0 — 6 9 1
BM 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 2 0
WP: Christian Cuba 6 IP, R, 7 K’s. Top Performers: Robert Lavia 2-2, HR, 2 RBI. Miguel Casanueva H, RBI. Nelson Montilla 2 H, R. Yasiel Fadra H, R. DA 15-7-1.
▪ Hialeah Gardens 9, Norland 2:
NOR 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 — 2 2 1
HG 2 2 0 0 0 5 X — 9 14 1
WP: Max Joseph 5 IP, 7 K’s. Top Performers: Alex Garcia 2-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI. Chris Clara 2-4, R, 2 RBI. Allan Berrios 3-4, R. Ramon Garcia 2-3, 2B, R. Jose Gaston 1-4, 3B, R. HG 11-11.
▪ Pines Charter 5, Boyton Beach 2:
PC 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 — 5 6 3
BB 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 — 2 5 0
WP: Anthony Garcia (5-1), 6 IP, 0 ERA, 9 K’s. Top Performers: Anthony Nogueiras 2-3, 2 SB. Alex Monge-Rodriguez 1-2, 2R, 2 SB. PC 14-4-1.
Miami Christian 4, Miami Beach 3: WP: Chris Ortero 7 IP, 7K’s. Top Performers: Jordan Gonzalez 1-3, HR. Aldo Ripley 2-4, 3B, BB, RBI, 1B.
▪ Late Thursday — Miami High 6, South Dade 2:
MIA 3 0 0 1 0 2 0 — 6 10 0
SD 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2 4 2
WP: Christopher Rodriguez (3-2). LP: Salvator Finocchiaro. Top Performers: Christopher Rodriguez: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI. Argenis Hernandez 2-4, 2B. Edgard Aparicio 2-3, RBI. MIA 15-6 (10-0).
▪ Late Thursday — Southridge 6, Varela 3:
VR 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 — 3 8 5
SR 1 4 0 0 1 0 X —6 6 1
WP: Erick Lopez (3-1), 5.1 IP, 1R, 6H, 6K. LP: Chris Gomez (5-2). Top Performers: Josten Heron 2-3. Diandre Amion RBI, 2B. SR 13-10. VAR 12-5-1.
ALL-COUNTY
▪ Palmetto girls’ soccer standout Lauren Palavecino earned Class 5A-4A honorable mention.
▪ Princeton Christian’s Nick Duran and Alex Rodriguez each earned Class 4A-2A All-Dade boys’ basketball honorable mention.
BOYS’ BADMINTON
▪ GMAC West Division semifinal — Braddock 21, Ferguson 14, South Miami 9, Sunset 6: 1. Mario Lopez (BR) 21-6; 21-8. 2. Anthony Concepcion (FER). 3. Mark Batista (SM). 4. Ernesto Liendo (BR). Doubles: Ma.Camero/Mi.Camero (FER) 17-21; 22-20; 21-15. Bellot/Garcia (SM)Salazar/Sarsour (SUN). Cheung/Munoz. Mixed Doubles: Lopez/Sanchez (SM) 21-10; 21-17. Chan/Garcia (BR). Lopera/Navarro (BR). Chang/Cheng (FER).
▪ Late Thursday — District results: SW: 1. Dayron Garcia. Doubles: 1. Nathan Sabinske/Cristian Cruz; 3. Febis Diaz/Lenyer Rodriguez. Mixed Doubles: 1. Christian Gonzalez/Jackie Camacho; 2. Manuel Campos/Joalice Benitez.
▪ Late Tuesday, GMAC final — Palmetto 20, Killian 10, Coral Reef 8, TERRA 6, Varela 6: Jason Harris (KIL) d. Michael Trainor (PAL) 22-20, 21-12. Doubles: Li/Mares (PAL) d. David/Salathe (CR) 21-12, 21-15. Doubles: Sarkar/Lang (PAL) d. Blackburn/Liu (PAL) 21-11, 21-18.
GIRLS’ BADMINTON
▪ GMAC West Division semifinal — Braddock 21, Ferguson 14, South Miami 9, Sunset 6: 1. Katherine Espinosa (SUN) 21-18; 21-14. 2. Yanely Garcia (BR). 3. Olivia Justiniano (FER). 4. Jessica Koernig (FER). Doubles: 1. A.Perez/K.Perez (BR) 21-10; 21-16. 2. Jenny Cortez/Lacey Simpson (BR). 3. Sofia Cuenca/Kenisha Van Keulen (FER). 4. Giselle Gonzalez/Karina Lago (FER). Mixed Doubles: Lopez/Sanchez (SM) 21-10; 21-17. Chan/Garcia (BR). Lopera/Navarro (BR). Chang/Cheng (FER).
▪ Late Thursday — District results: 1. Claudia Morales. Doubles: 1. Laura Morales/Madison Chamizo. Mixed Doubles: 1. Christian Gonzalez/Jackie Camacho; 2. Manuel Campos/Joalice Benitez.
▪ Late Tuesday, GMAC final — Palmetto 20, Killian 10, Coral Reef 8, TERRA 6, Varela 6:Victoria Carabeo (CR) d. Cristina Salabbarria (KIL) 21-5, 21-13. Doubles:Matallana/Ruiz (VAR) d. Chang/Cope (TER) 21-17, 21-15. Mixed Doubles: Sarkar/Lang (PAL) d. Blackburn/Liu (PAL) 21-11, 21-18.
SOFTBALL
▪ Gulliver 4, Marist (CHI) 3:
MA 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 — 3 8 2
GP 0 0 0 3 0 1 — 4 8 3
WP: Lilly Barlow (2-0), CG. Top Performers: Briana Bahadue 2-3, RBI, 2 R. Destyn Jones 1-3, RBI, 1B. GP 17-7.
▪ Gulliver 9, Doral Academy 5:
GP 0 0 2 0 0 0 7 — 9 8 3
DA 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 — 5 3 4
WP: Mekayla Frazier. Top Performers: Lilly Barlow 6 IP, 1B. Mia Bellingheiri 3-4, HR, 3 RBI. Sofia Desolo 2-4, HR, 3 RBI.
▪ American Heritage 3, Gulliver 2:
AHP 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 3 5 0
GP 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 3 3
WP: Jenna Goodrich. LP: Mekayla Frazier. Top Performers: Jessica Rivera 1-3, 3B, R. Tori Rios 1-3, 2B. Destyn Jones RBI, 1B.
▪ Lady Greyhound Classic — Archbishop McCarthy 9, Ft. Pierce Central 1:
FPC 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 — 1 5 2
AM 0 0 6 0 2 1 0 — 9 10 1
WP: Briana Dimler 4 IP, 2 H, R. Top Performers: Kaitlin O’Hara 1B, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI. Elizabeth Vasquez 2B, 2 RBI. Jacy Charvat 1B, 2 RBI. Claire Orihuela 2 H, RBI. AM 14-8.
▪ Lady Greyhound Classic — Archbishop McCarthy 6, Mainland 0:
AM 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 — 6 11 1
MAI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 8 3
WP: Briana Dimler (14-8), 4 IP, 5 K’s. Top Performers: Andrea Lopez 2 H, R. Elizabeth Vasquez 2 H, R. Claire Orihuelo 2 H. AM 15-8
▪ Ransom Evergaldes 16, Palmer Trinity 1:
PT 1 0 0 — 1 1 5
RE 8 1 8 — 16 13 0
WP: G. Jadotte 3 IP, 3-3, 3R, 3 RBI. LP: Moralles. Top Performers: T. McBrayer 1-2, 3R, 3 RBI, BB. H. Holle 2-3, R, 3 RBI. D. Lozano 2-3, 2R, RBI. A. Hyde 2 R, RBI, BB.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
▪ Late Thursday, Region 8-3A final — TERRA 4, Doral Academy 3: Sophia Adams (TER) d. Maria Rachi (DA) 6-2, 6-0. Michelle Adan-Pol (TER) d. Isabel Taboada (DA) 4-6, 6-4, (10-8). Adriana Lamothe (DA) d. Jessica Waddell (TER) 6-3, 4-6, (10-4). Valeria Flandes (TER) d. Ani Burgos (DA) 6-4, 6-1. Beatriz Avila-Ramer (DA) d. Nicole Cinquino (TER) 6-3, 6-2. Doubles: Adams/Adan-Pol (TER) d. Rachi/Taboada (DA) 6-2, 6-0. Avila-Ramer/Lamothe (DA) d. Waddell/Flandes (TER) 6-4, 6-3. TER 14-2.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
▪ Palmetto d. Sunset: Devin Decker 11 kills, 11 digs, 8 points. Thomas Latimer 22 assists, 9 digs. Julian Hunt 5 kills. PAL 14-3.
▪ Palmetto d. Bishop Moore (25-15, 25-22): Devin Decker 6 kills, 6 digs. Thomas Latimer 19 assists, 8 digs, 5 points. Nate Parker 7 digs, 7 points. PAL 13-3.
▪ Palmetto d. Wellington (25-13, 20-25, 15-13): Joey Sensale 9 kills, 5 digs. Nate Parker 10 digs. Nick Vacarro 4 kills. PAL 12-3.
▪ Monarch d. Deerfield Beach (25-17, 25-15, 25-12): Tyler Johnson 11 kills, 2 blocks, 5 digs. Gabe Mohammed 9 kills, 4 blocks, 8 points, 5 aces. MON 18-2.
▪ Palm Beach Classic (at Park Vista) — Columbus d. Dwyer (25-17, 25-23): Peter Cancio 10 kills. Nicholas Diaz 4 kills. COL 14-1.
▪ Palm Beach Classic (at Park Vista) — Columbus d. Suncoast (25-19, 25-11): Peter Cancio 10 kills. Guillermo Brito 5 kills. Javier Cisneros 4 kills. COL 15-1.
▪ Late Thursday — SLAM d. Booker T Washington (25-22, 25-19, 25-22): Adrian Potts 12 kills, 14 service points. Alain Martel 7 kills, 7 points. AJ Alvarez 30 assists, 21 points. SLAM 6-16.
▪ Late Thursday — Cypress Bay d. American Heritage (25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-13): Jeff Rice (AH) 18 digs, 16 kills, 5 points, 2 aces, 7 blocks. Jon Gomes 21 digs, 11 kills, 9 points, 4 aces, 5 blocks. Landon Lupo 8 digs, 29 assists, 2 blocks, 2 kills, 10 points, 5 aces. AH 1-8.
▪ Late Thursday — TERRA d. Hialeah-Miami Lakes (26-24, 25-17, 25-20): Christopher Hart 6 kills, 2 blocks. Nicholas Hasbun 6 kills, 5 aces, 9 digs. Derek Bostick 18 assists, 3 aces, 6 digs. TER 6-5.
▪ Late Thursday — Douglas d. Coral Glades (25-18, 25-13, 25-20): Tyler Smith 3 kills, 12 assists, 3 aces. George Spadafora 8 kills. SD 13-2.
▪ Late Thursday — Killian d. Westminster Christian (25-7, 25-15, 25-19): Jose Martinez 6 kills. Chris Barut 6 kills, 9 digs. Gabe Lazarre 20 digs, 9 points. KIL 4-3.
▪ Late Thursday — Monarch d. Hollywood Hills (25-14, 25-10, 19-25, 25-10): Luiz Padrede 13 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs; Ryan Clark 7 kills, 2 blocks, 13 points, 3 aces. MON 17-2.
▪ Late Thursday — South Broward d. Pines Charter (27-25, 25-21, 25-11): Garay 11 kills, 12 service pts, 3 aces, 7 digs. SB 8-3.
▪ Late Thursday — Westland Hialeah d. Dr. Krop (24-26, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21): WH 8-2.
▪ Late Wednesday — Palmetto d. Killian (25-19, 27-29, 25-20, 25-20): Devin Decker 18 kills, 14 digs; Joey Sensale 13 kills, 17 digs; Thomas Latimer 42 assists, 23 digs; Nate Parker 21 digs. PAL 11-3.
▪ Late Wednesday — Monarch d. Boca Raton (17-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13, 16-14): Sean Drexl 47 assists, 20 points, 4 aces, 4 kills, 11 digs; Gabe Mohammed 11 kills, 6 blocks. MON 16-2.
GIRLS’ TRACK
▪ Late Thursday, District 16-1A — 100 M Dash: Amy Creus (WC) 13.08. 200 M Dash: Amy Creus (WC) 26.66. 400 M Dash: Janelle Gonzalez (PT) 1:02.85. 800 Meter Run: Janelle Gonzalez (PT) 2:33.06. 1600 Meter Run: Victoria Hoppe (WC) 5:20.13. 3200 Meter Run: Victoria Hoppe (WC) 12:06.48. 100 Meter Hurdles: Cassie Poulard (AC) 15.89. 300 Meter Hurdles: Julia Decker (WC) 49.58. 4x100 M Relay: Westminster Christian 53.16. 4x400 Meter Relay: Westminster Christian 4:26.48. 4x800 Meter Relay: Westminster Christian 10:46.62. High Jump: Carmen Gonzalez DelValle (PT) 4-06.00. Pole Vault: Natalie Victorero (WC) 8-00.00. Long Jump: Cassie Poulard (AC) 16-09.25. Triple Jump: Jenna Martinez (PT) 31-09.50. Shot Put: EmyJa’ James (DC) 35-01.00. Discus Throw: Sofia Iglesias (PT) 112-10.
▪ Late Wednesday, District 16-2A — Ransom Everglades 206, Jackson 131, Gulliver 69, Key West 55, Booker T. Washington 52, La Salle 48, St. Brendan 34, Florida Christian 24, Carrollton 20, Coral Shores 14, Edison 5: 100 M Dash: Aaliyah Allen (KW) 12.65. 200 M Dash: Phedricka Thomas (BTW) 26.48. 400 M Dash: Phedricka Thomas (BTW) 1:02.17. 800 M Run: Lauren Archer (RE) 2:15.42. 1600 M Run: Lauren Archer (RE) 5:15.27. 3200 M Run: Beatriz Ruan (RE) 11:26.88. 100 M Hurdles: Tiara Mcminn (JAX) 14.54. 300 M Hurdles: Kimberly Bendross (JAX) 46.25. 4x100 M Relay: Jackson 49.64. 4x400 M Relay: Ransom Everglades 4:02.05. 4x800 M Relay: Ransom Everglades 10:06.48. High Jump: Tiara Mcminn (JAX) 5-06.00. Pole Vault: Nati Sheppard (RE) 11-00.00. Long Jump: Nicole Mueller (GP) 15-10.50.Triple Jump: Briana Pottinger (RE) 33-11.50. Shot Put: Debbie Ajabe (RE) 37-11.50. Discus Throw: Debbie Ajabe (RE) 128-03.
BOYS’ TRACK
▪ Late Thursday, District 16-1A — 100 Meter Dash: Andrew Dodds (DC) 11.76. 200 Meter Dash: George Williams (WC) 22.51.400 Meter Dash: George Williams (WC) 50.25. 800 Meter Run: Iverson Williams (DC) 2:04.94. 1600 Meter Run: Iverson Williams (DC) 4:49.67. 3200 Meter Run: Guilherme Pereira (DS) 10:04.84. 110 Meter Hurdles: Torry Holmes (NWC) 16.73. 300 Meter Hurdles: Timothy McIntosh (DC) 43.82. 4x100 M Relay: Dade Christian 45.32. 4x400 Meter Relay: Westminster Christian 3:31.56. 4x800 Meter Relay: Dade Christian 8:57.09. High Jump: Enzo Bruno (AC) 5-00.00. Long Jump: Dwayne Terry (DC) 19-01.50. Triple Jump: Dwayne Terry (DC) 42-01.00. Shot Put: Milton Ingraham (DC) 46-03.00. Discus Throw: Milton Ingraham (DC) 139-08.
▪ Late Wednesday, District 16-2A — Jackson 162, Booker T. Washington 125, Key West 85, Pace 62, Ransom Everglades 51, Florida Christian 47, Gulliver Prep 44, La Salle 42, Coral Shores 22, Edison 18: 100 M Dash: Antonio Callaway (BTW) 10.93. 200 M Dash: Desmond Phillips (JAX) 22.24. 400 M Dash: Tyquan Thornton (BTW) 50.55. 800 M Run: Vaquan Small (BTW) 1:58.82. 1600 M Run: Gabriel Correa (RE) 4:38.21. 3200 M Run: Gabriel Correa (RE) 10:20.11. 110 M Hurdles: Tovias Parker (JAX) 15.49. 300 M Hurdles: Lemott Hodges (JAX) 41.97. 4x100 M Relay: Booker T. Washington 43.02. 4x400 Meter Relay: Booker T. Washington 3:27.47. 4x800 M Relay: Pace 8:07.77. High Jump: Vaquan Small (BTW) 6-09.50. Pole Vault: Zachary Lightfoot (KW) 13-00.00. Long Jump: Antonio Sotolongo (GP) 21-09.00. Triple Jump: Pierre Thelon (BTW) 42-07.00. Shot Put: Chriatopher Mainer (JAX) 47-00.50. Discus Throw: Dorian Cannon (KW) 143-08.
This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 10:54 PM with the headline "Flanagan baseball tops Archbishop McCarthy for sixth victory in a row."