Gibbons routs Mater Lakes to continue chase for first state championship since 1987
It’s been 36 years since Cardinal Gibbons won its first and only state high school baseball championship.
Following Tuesday’s 8-0 victory over Mater Lakes in a Class 4A regional final, the Chiefs are within two victories of a second. The victory was the 12th straight for Gibbons, which finished the season at home at 16-2-2.
Gibbons (23-4-2) advanced to a state semifinal game against Mulberry on May 21 at 4 p.m. at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
The Chiefs last championship celebration came in 1987 under former coach George Petik when they defeated Auburndale 6-1 for the Class 3A state title.
Under coach Jason Hamilton in his 26 years as leading the helm, the Chiefs came up short of winning a 2019 state title. Hamilton’s 2020 season was perhaps even better, but the COVID-19 outbreak wiped out the opportunity.
“We were there in 2019, lost in extra innings and brought the whole team back in 2020,” Hamilton said. “We thought we had a better team then. We expected to make another run. You can’t take for granted what it takes to get to Fort Myers. Once the guys understand what a special moment that is for the teams that have won before, they’ll get the experience especially for the seniors because there’s nothing like it.”
Starting pitcher Michael Kass in combination with reliever Jack Campbell held the Bears to one hit, while striking out 10.
With Mater Lakes stymied, Cardinal Gibbons took advantage of the opportunity in the early innings.
Bears starting pitcher Alfrin Rosario struggled from that start, walking three batters in the first inning, two of which scored. He fell behind in the count in eight batters he faced over three innings he pitched.
“Our starting pitcher had been our horse all year,” said Mater Lakes coach Rafael Jiron. “We had to go with him. Gibbons is a well-coached team and their pitcher was a bulldog for them today.”
After Eddie Marshall and Jason Vazquez were walked Vynn Buerosse drilled a two-run single to center field for 2-0 lead.
“Getting an early lead is always important,” Buerosse said. “Big base hits and chipping in is always important when it counts.”
Then in the bottom of the third inning the Chiefs doubled their lead when junior Brenden Trujillo hit his third home run of the season over the left field fence.
“It looked like a change up and I tried getting inside the ball to hit it,” Trujillo said. “This is amazing getting to the state tournament. We hope to keep it rolling.”
Trailing 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning Mater Lakes (16-14) had gone 5 2/3 innings without a hit until Fredderick Grijalba’s double. In the previous inning the Bears had loaded the bases on three walks but failed to produce any runs.