Killian, Columbus reach final in GMAC baseball
Finding quality players isn’t difficult when you look at Killian’s roster.
But when a roster that talented finds the right chemistry, it can be very difficult to beat.
American was the latest team to learn that lesson Tuesday as Killian emerged with a 7-4 victory over the Patriots in a GMAC semifinal at Killian Field.
The Cougars (17-7) will try to win their second consecutive GMAC championship and third in the past four seasons Thursday when they host Columbus at 4 p.m. Killian has beaten Columbus for its past two GMAC titles.
Columbus, which beat TERRA in an earlier semifinal Tuesday, advanced to its fourth consecutive GMAC final and will try to win its second in three seasons.
“We have a tough game ahead of us,” Killian coach Angel Herrera said. “The Columbus baseball program is one of the best in the country and we’ll have our hands full. But this is everything we could have asked for out of this tournament in terms of playing the kind of competition we have.”
After American (14-9-1) rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the fourth, Killian pitcher Keith Stevens entered the game and made sure the Patriots wouldn’t do more damage. Stevens, a Florida A&M signee, allowed only one run over the final three-plus innings and had three strikeouts, giving Killian a chance to retake control.
Stevens also had a hit and two walks at the plate and reached on an error in the sixth inning as Killian put the game out of reach.
“We’re big believers that this team is a family and [Stevens] is a part of my family,” Herrera said. “For three years that young man has stepped up in the big spots time and again. All he did today is what he’s done throughout his career here at Killian.”
As it has in recent games, the top of Killian’s batting order started most of its rallies Tuesday.
Leadoff hitter and shortstop Freddy Zamora and center fielder Sneaky Guzman each had two hits and scored two runs. Joey Gonzalez also had two hits.
Tied at 3, Killian took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Guzman singled and reached third base on a fielding error in right field. After two consecutive walks loaded the bases, Eddy Arteaga was walked, forcing in a run. Another fielding error by American on a grounder to short allowed Eddy Demurias to score and give Killian a 5-3 edge.
“We made a change in our lineup after spring break and we’ve gone to a different approach offensively,” Herrera said. “These young men want to win for each other and make their teammates proud.”
▪ GMAC semifinal — Columbus 8, TERRA 2: Just hours after rallying from a five-run deficit to beat Goleman, the Explorers were still hitting the ball consistently.
Led by Danny Casals and Alain Santana, whom each had two RBI, Columbus (19-5) advanced to the GMAC final for the fourth consecutive season. Unlike Monday night, however, Columbus never trailed against the Wolves (19-5).
Explorers starting pitcher Chris Coipel struck out three in five innings and allowed only one run. Casals went 3 for 4 with a double. Gabriel Rivera went 2 for 2 with an RBI. Dominick Reyes went 2 for 4 as well.
“Amazingly, our 3 through 5 hitters haven’t had a hit the past two games,” Columbus coach Joe Weber said. “It’s been the top and bottom of our lineup getting us going. If we can get the heart of the order going, that will be huge.”
▪ GMAC Semifinal — Killian 7, American 4: WP: Keith Stevens (4-1). LP: L.A. Chipi (3-1).
▪ GMAC Semifinal — Columbus 8, TERRA 2: WP: C.Copiel 5 IP, 3K’s. Top Performers: D.Casals 3-4, H, 2 RBI, 2B. G.Rivera 2-2, 2 R, RBI. A.Santana 2 RBI.
▪ Doral Academy 4, Coral Reef 3: WP: J.Lopez 1 IP, K. Top Performers: L.Balbuenas 3 H, RBI, 2 R. A.Balbuena GW H, 2 RBI. M.Marin H, R. DA 16-7-1.
▪ Palmer Trinity 11, Westwood 9: WP: Miller. Top Performers: Pico 2-2. Kross 3-4. Peckins 2-4.
▪ Calvary Christian 6, Westminster Academy 3: WP: A.Gottfried (8-1) 4.2 IP, 0ER 5 K’s. N.Benevento 3-3, 4 RBI. CC 18-6 (9-3).
Late Monday
Florida Christian 10, Sagemont 0: WP:F.Chacon 4 K’s. Top Performers: A.Garcia. 1-1. S.Rodriguez 1-3. J.Zepeda 1-1. FC 13-10.
▪ Pine Crest 6, Pope John Paul 3: WP:A.Saks (3-0). Top Performers: G.Conine 2-4, R, RBI. C.Andres 2-3, R, RBI. R.Bakhai 2-3, R, RBI, 2B. PC 16-6-1.
▪ Varela 12, Archbishop Carroll 1: WP: K.Negron 6K, R. Top Performers: E.Canoura 2-3, RBI. H.Vazquez 2-3, RBI. J.Garcia HR, 2 RBI. VAR 13-5-1.
▪ Pines Charter 6, Coral Springs 0: WP: M.Tang 3-0, CG, 0H, 9 K’s. Top Performers: D.Rodriguez-Velez, HR, 2B, 4RBI. A.Monge-Rodriguez HR, 2R. A.Nogueiras HR. PC 15-4-1.
▪ SLAM 7, Keys Gate 3: WP/SV: A.Velez. Top Performers: J.Downs 2-4, 3 RBI. Brian Frias 2-4. Chauncey Nunez 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K’s. SC 19-6.
SOFTBALL
▪ District 15-8A — Braddock 15, Southwest 13: WP: C.Bolivar 2 K’s. Top Performers: B.Navarro 3-4, 2 RBI, 2R. A.Flores 3-5. E.Bermudez 3-4, 4 R.
▪ District 15-4A — Ransom Everglades 10, Carrollton 3: WP: G. Jadotte 7 IP. Top Performers: T. McBrayer 4-4, R, 2 RBI. A. Hyde 3-4, R, RBI. D. Lozano 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI.
▪ District 16-8A — Palmetto 15, Southridge 0: WP: A.Guglietta (8-4)4K’s, 3IP, H. Top Performers: K.Kross 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R,2 RBI. E.Love 3-3, 2 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI. H.Burge 2-2, 2 R.
▪ District 16-3A — Westminster Christian 15, Palmer 0:WP:V.Perez (8-6). Top performers: A.Mena 3 R HR. C.Labuzan 1-1, RBI. J.Feely 1-1, 2 RBI. WC 17-9.
▪ District 14-8A — Miami High 9, Krop 4: WP: Daniela Lanza. Top Performers: A.Jarquin 4-4, 3 RBI. MIA 10-6.
▪ District 16-6A — TERRA 9, Mater Academy 5:WP: V.Sanchez 3-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs. Top Performers: O.Camejo 2-4, 2 R. V.Conway 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R. 9-5 (20-4).
▪ District 15-4A — Florida Christian 19, Mater Lakes 0: WP:K.Smith 2-2, 3 RBI. Top Perfomers: M.Lezcano 2-2, 2 RBI. A.Arranago 2-3, 2 RBI. S.Elias 2-2, 2 R.
▪ District 15-8A — Coral Gables 10, Ferguson 1: WP: C.Wilson(11-3) 15 K's. Top Performers: M.Ballard 2-4, 3 RBI, R. N.Cruz 2-3, 2B, RBI, R. N.Regalado 1-1, 2B, 3 R, 2 BB. CG 16-8.
▪ District 14-4A — Chaminade-Madonna 9, University School 2: WP: B.Tuxbury (14-4) CG, 9 K's. Top Performers: J.Yao 4-4, 2 R, 4 SB. C.Siegel 2-3, R, RBI.
▪ District 16-6A — Doral 17, Northwestern 0: WP: G.Ruiz (2-0) 3IP, 5K.Top Performers:K.Rodriguez 3-3, 3R, RBI.K.Perez 2-2, 2R, RBI.A. Venegas 3-3, 3RBI. DA 20-6.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
▪ Cardinal Gibbons d. Pine Crest (25-17, 25-15, 25-16): C.Short 17 kills, 3 digs, 4 blocks, 5 points. D.Dannenhauer 31 assists, 3 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks, 5 points CG 18-4. PC 11-7.
▪ Hebrew Academy d. Miami Christian (25-16, 25-17, 25-20): Y.Hochner 15 kills, 3 aces. M.Del-Giglio 8 aces, 32 assists. E.Greenstein 7 aces, 11 digs. HA 6-4.
▪ South Broward d. Hills (25-14,25-15, 25-18): Garay 19 kills, 15 digs, 8 points, 3 aces. SB 11-7.
▪ Western d. St. Thomas Aquinas (17-25, 17-25, 25-19, 17-25): D.Tariche 5 kills, 4 digs, 6 points, 2 aces. D.Alex 5 kills, block. E.Wurts 21 assists, 5 points, 2 aces. STA 10-9 (5-4).
▪ Flanagan d. Everglades (25-18, 27-25, 25-16): Moreno 12 kills, 2 blocks , 4 aces. FLA 14-2.
▪ Miami High d. Palmetto (25-23, 25-22, 25-23): M.Melenciano 11 kills, 3 aces, 5 digs. D.Maloney 21 assists, 9 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces. M.Brouri 11 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs. MIA 18-2.
▪ Archbishop McCarthy d. Cypress Bay (25-20,25-16,25-17): D.Maniglia 12 kills, 4 blocks. L.DeQuadros 24 points, 2 aces, 9 digs. N.Grossman 10 points, 18 digs. AM 12-7.
▪ Varela d. Hialeah: A.Gonzalez 14 kills 4 aces. R.Rivera 11 kills.
Late Monday
▪ Monarch d. St. Thomas Aquinas (25-23, 25-13, 25-18, 25-19): G.Mohammed 13 kills, 6 blocks. J.Weber 5 kills, 5 blocks. MON 19-2. STA 10-8 (5-3).
▪ Archbishop McCarthy d. West Broward (25-20,25-21,25-16): A.Suarez 17 points, 2 aces, 11 digs. L.De Quadros 18 points, 4 aces, 14 digs. M.Moreiras 11 points, 2 aces, 12 kills, 17 digs. AM 11-7.
▪ South Broward d. Chaminade Madonna (25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 17-25, 15-5): Garay 21 kills, 26 digs, 13 points, 6 aces. Torres 15 kills, 16 digs, 17 points, ace. SB 10-7.
▪ Cypress Bay d. Douglas (25-22, 25-16, 25-17): T.Smith 7 kills, 3 blocks. N.Toops 5 kills, 3 blocks. DOU 13-3.
▪ Palmetto d. Coral Reef (25-15, 25-23, 25-18): D.Decker 13 kills, 14 digs. N.Parker 13 digs, 10 points. N.Vacarro 6 kills. Luke Lee 8 digs. PAL 15-5.
▪ Florida Christian d. Coral Park (25-18, 25-14, 25-22): W.Gonzalez 14 kills. A.Alvarez 15 assists, 9 points. A.Benites 6 digs, 4 aces, 10 points. FC 9-8.
▪ Killian d. Sunset (25-23, 25-18, 25-20): J.Martinez 12 kills, 5 digs. D.Howard 9 digs, 3 kills. J.Harris 8 kills, 15 assists. KIL 7-6.
▪ Columbus d. LaSalle (25-14, 25-6, 25-6): COL 19-1.
GIRLS’ TRACK
▪ District 16-3A — Northwestern 316, Carol City 118, Homestead 80, Mater Academy 40, Doral Academy 28, Central 15, Mourning 15, Norland 14: 100 M Dash: L.Harris (NW) 11.71. 200 M Dash: L.Harris (NW) 23.56. 400 M Dash: U.Toussaint (NW) 56.41. 800 M Run: D. Rogers (NW) 2:17.71. 1600 M Run: J.Mcdowell (CC) 5:30.43. 3200 M Run: R. Anderssohn (DA) 11:44.24. 100 M Hurdles: T.Mitchell (NW) 14.08. 300 M Hurdles: S. Lovett (NW) 43.90. 4x100 Relay: NW 46.01. 4x400 Relay: NW3:53.60. 4x800 Relay: NW 9:37.86. High Jump: T.Gibson (CC) 5-02.00. Pole Vault: K.Lozin (CC) 6-06.00. Long Jump: T.Alexander (NW) 18-07.75. Triple Jump: T.Alexander (NW) 37-09.75. Shot Put: K.Clark (NW) 43-05.00. Discus Throw: K.Clark (NW) 127-09.
BOYS’ TRACK
▪ District 16-3A — Belen 151.50, Northwestern 138, Homestead 109, Carol City 108, Central 44, Norland 38, Doral Academy 35.50, Mater Academy 19, Mourning 8.50, Goleman 4.50, Miami Springs 3: 100 M Dash: D.Baker (NW) 10.83. 200 M Dash: D.Baker (NW) 22.03. 400 M Dash: M. Smith (CC) 48.56. 800 M Run: R.Rodriguez (BEL) 1:59.28. 1600 M Run: R.Rodriguez (BEL) 4:41.29. 3200 M Run: J.Lopez (BEL) 9:55.04.110 M Hurdles: T.Burns(NW)14.94. 300 Meter Hurdles: L.Graden(CC) 38.37.4x100 Relay: NW 42.74.4x400 Relay: CC 3:20.43. 4x800 Relay: CC 8:09.41. High Jump: M.Smith (CC) 6-00.00. Pole Vault: M.Murphy (BEL) 11-00.00.Long Jump: D.Turnbull (MA) 20-07.00. Triple Jump: D.Ivey (HOM) 41-09.00. Shot Put: W.Gordon (NOR) 57-09.00. Discus Throw: A.Hanna (CEN) 155-08.
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
SOFTBALL
District 13-8A final at Miramar: 7
District 16-8A final at Palmetto Bay Park: 6
District 14-7A final at Fort Lauderdale: 6:30
District 16-7A final at American: 3:30
District 14-6A final at Silver Lakes Park: Stranahan-Boynton Beach winner vs. Pines Charter, 7
District 15-6A final at Virginia Gardens Park: 7
District 16-5A final: Archbishop McCarthy at American Heritage, 7
District 16-4A semifinals at Gulliver: Ransom Everglades vs. Gulliver, 2; Key West vs. Keys Gate, 4:30
TRACK AND FIELD
District 15-4A at Southridge – Prelims: 10 a.m.; Finals: 6
This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Killian, Columbus reach final in GMAC baseball."