Beach volleyball, softball and baseball: Big week for Westminster Christian athletics
The Westminster Christian beach volleyball team won the 2021 State Championship after defeating Bradenton Christian, (Sarasota) Cardinal Mooney and (Clearwater) Calvary Christian in the championship bracket at Hickory Point Park in Tavares near Orlando.
The championship team was led by No.1 duo Saskia Hernandez and Emily Matias and No.2 tandem Alyssa and Alyah Cadavid. Each team was victorious against Cardinal Mooney in the semifinal.
In the finals against Calvary, the Cadavid sisters swept their match (21-10, 21-11), and the championship was secured after No.3 pair Zoey Matias and Paige Anderson won the third set of their match 15-11, after splitting the first two sets (16-21, 21-11).
The champs are Caro Cueto, Zoey Matias, Nati Milo, Francesca Pazmino, Gia Romano, Ariana Arteaga, Paige Anderson, Emily Matias, Saskia Hernandez, Alyssa Cadavid, and Alyah Cadavid. The coaches are Sylvia Hernandez, Julie Doan Kurenuma and Sandra Mora.
The school also celebrated a very good week of postseason baseball and softball last week with two perfect games pitched.
Westminster Christian softball
In softball, Westminster Christian defeated Ransom Everglades 15-0 in a 3A region quarterfinal.
Winning pitcher Bella Artiles threw three perfect innings, striking out nine while not allowing a base runner.
Offensively they were led by Cassie Martinez who went 2-2, Jules Dyer who went 2-3 with a 3B, and Cassidy Stouffer contributed with a 3-run HR.
In a rematch of the district finals, the district champ Warriors (21-6) host Somerset Academy Silver Palms (17-5) on Tuesday in a 3A region semifinal. Somerset beat Sports Leadership & Management in its region quarterfinal.
Westminster Christian baseball
In baseball, Westminster Christian won its 3A regional quarterfinal, beating Coral Shores 12-0.
Joel Pineiro and Julian Hernandez combined on a perfect game. They allowed no runs, no hits, no walks, no runners on base in five perfect innings.
Sal Stewart hit his 17th home run of the season. He leads the nation in home runs this season, and he is two shy of the single season state mark.
In a battle of district champs, the Warriors (20-7) travel to Keys Gate (8-13-1) on Tuesday in a 3A region semifinal. Keys Gate edged Sports Leadership & Management 1-0 in its region quarterfinal.
Player of the Year Nominee
As for Westminster Christian baseball star Sal Stewart, he was named one of 10 finalists for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year Award.
Stewart, a junior, is a Vanderbilt commit with a 3.93 GPA and is a dual-sport athlete who is also well known in the basketball community for his defensive abilities and 3-point shooting prowess. He earned Honorable Mention honors in basketball, after shooting over 40-percent from the 3-point line.
In baseball, Stewart was a Miami Herald All-Dade first team selection as a freshman, has represented Team USA in 17U and 16U and is a former Perfect Game Player of the Year winner for his age group at 14U. His offense this season has been extraordinary. He is currently hitting .564 with 12 doubles, two triples and a country-leading 17 home runs. He is two shy of the Florida record held by former Westminster Christian and Miami Hurricanes star David Thompson.
Westminster Christian Athletic Director Ben Warren said: “Arguably the most elite hitter in Miami-Dade since Manny Machado, his production on the field has been remarkable. More importantly, he’s a tremendous young man and a fierce competitor who has the work ethic needed to be successful as he moves forward both in baseball and in life.”
Softball
6A Region Quarterfinal: Doral Academy 15, Mater Academy 0: Alyssa Zabala pitched three perfect innings, striking out eight batters. Anabela Abdullah had two hits with three RBI including a home run.
Isabella Melly was 1 for 1 with a walk, two runs and two RBI. Mikaela Roig was 1 for 1 with a double, a walk, a run and two RBI.
In a battle of district champs, the Firebirds (25-2) host Goleman (12-8) on Tuesday in a region semifinal. Goleman beat Lourdes in a region quarterfinal.
Baseball
5A Region Quarterfinal: Belen Jesuit 6, Pines Charter 2: Winning pitcher Esteban Rodriguez struck out six. Lou DeGoti was 2 for 3 with a run, and Chris Bayo went 1 for 1 with two RBI. DJ Perez was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run.
In a battle of district champs, Belen (19-9) plays Archbishop McCarthy (18-8-2) in a 5A region semifinal on Tuesday. Archbishop McCarthy edged Killian 1-0 in a region quarterfinal.
Submit postseason results
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have postseason game results and stats for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com.
Submit summer sports results
For summer sports with high school athletes in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have results and stats for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com.
For club teams & individuals, include the high school(s) of the student athlete(s).
This is open to participants in summer sports leagues, events and tournaments who are current high school athletes, those who graduated in 2021 and those who will be freshmen in the fall.
Email hssports@miamiherald.com.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published May 10, 2021 at 10:35 PM.
