Miami Christian baseball team moves closer to state with win over Westminster Academy
Strong pitching has been a staple of every recent baseball state championship Miami Christian has won.
The Victors have such quality of arms once again this season.
And if their recent outings are any indication, Miami Christian deserves to be considered the favorites to bring home what would be its fifth state title and fourth since 2018.
To do so, the Victors will need more outings like the one they got Saturday afternoon during a 7-2 victory over Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy in a Region 4-2A semifinal at Miami Christian.
It was the fourth consecutive season that Miami Christian and Westminster squared off in the postseason with the Victors winning three of those four games and earning some payback for a 9-4 loss to the Lions (15-13) in last year’s regional final.
Miami Christian will next host Fort Pierce John Carroll on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. for the chance to return to the state final four for the fourth time in six seasons.
“We brought back pretty much the same team as last year and we’ve really relied on our seniors,” Miami Christian coach Chris Cuadra said. “All year long, we’ve stuck together and been patient and pulled through.”
The Victors’ pitching has been very good throughout the season as they have held opponents to three runs or fewer in 17 of its 24 games.
Miami Christian’s pitching has been outstanding recently.
The Victors have allowed only three runs in their past five games.
On Saturday, senior Jeffred Fermin led the Victors (20-4), pitching four innings and allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five.
And it’s been more than enough to complement a potent lineup which has remained hot since the playoffs began.
Fabio Peralta went 2 for 4 with two RBI while Alejandro Abreut went 1 for 2 wigth an RBI.
Leading 2-1 in the fifth inning against the Lions, Miami Christian loaded the bases with one out. After a pair of walks pushed across two runs, Christian de los Santos, a University of Miami signee, roped a single to left center that scored Willy Mendez and Peralta to fuel a five-run frame that broke the game open.
“We’ve been lights out,” Cuadra said. “I’m a big believer that defense and pitching makes the difference. You can hit all you want, but if you can’t pitch, you’re not going anywhere.”
MORE BASEBALL
▪ Region 4-4A semifinal - Cardinal Gibbons 8, Key West 7: Jason Vazquez had a double and three RBI to lead the Chiefs (22-4-2), who scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to score a walk-off win after giving up five runs in the top of the inning. Eddie Marshall went 3 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. George Stringos went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Gibbons will host Mater Lakes in the regional final at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
▪ Region 4-4A semifinal - Mater Lakes 11, Sunset 1: Bobby Torres went 2 for 3 with four RBI to help the Bears (16-13) advance to the regional finals for the first time since 2021. Andre Suarez went 2 for 2 with two RBI. Jeuri La Rosa went 2 for 2 with four runs scored, a double and an RBI.
▪ Region 4-3A semifinal - Calvary Christian 10, NSU University School 3: Carlos Lugo went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI and pitched four innings, striking out six and allowing one run on two hits and three walks to lead the Eagles (21-6). Thomas Baxter went 2 for 3 with three RBI, a home run and a double. Cole Cleveland and Braden Rosenthal each also had a home run. Calvary Christian will travel to Miami to take on Westminster Christian in the regional final on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
▪ Region 3-3A semifinal - North Broward Prep 6, Coral Springs Charter 3: Mateo Gray had a two-run home run and Gian De Castro went 2 for 3 with a double to lead the Eagles (25-3). Nicholas Koorse pitched five innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five. He also went 1 for 2 with an RBI. North Broward Prep will host Boca Raton St. John Paul II on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This story was originally published May 11, 2024 at 4:59 PM.
