Dade baseball preview: Westminster, Mater, Doral, Columbus among top contenders
A Miami-Dade County baseball team hasn’t won a state championship the past two seasons.
It’s been over half a century since Dade teams went without a title for three consecutive seasons (1971 through 1973).
Is this headed for a prolonged drought or does the 305 bounce back this season?
Miami Westminster Christian and Miami Christian each came close last year before losing in the state finals.
A few contenders are ready to challenge once again including Westminster Christian after moving down to Class 2A.
Doral Academy has reloaded in Class 6A after a disappointing finish in 2024.
And Columbus might have its most talented roster in several years as it tries to topple national powerhouse Stoneman Douglas in Class 7A.
But one of the most intriguing contenders is Mater Academy in Class 5A.
The Lions went 19-9 last season before losing to eventual state runner-up Plantation American Heritage in the regional semifinals. The Patriots are no longer in Mater’s classification this season.
And the Lions appear to have their most talented team in some time.
Mater Academy has not won a state title since winning its lone championship in 2014.
The Lions will look to change that behind a strong pitching rotation headlined by senior righthander Vladi Baldepina (Chipola College signee) and senior righties and Mater Lakes transfers Jeuri De La Rosa (Miami-Dade College signee) and Alfrin Rosario.
Mater has one of the most powerful bats in the county in the heart of its lineup returning as junior third baseman/outfielder Yodelkis Quevedo, an FSU commit, looks to follow up a breakout season. He’ll split time at third base with junior Jonathan Esponda, a Miami-Dade College signee who will also play in the outfield.
Junior shortstop Brandon Lorenzo, a University of Florida commit, is another standout to watch.
The Lions’ biggest obstacles in 5A in South Florida figure to be Belen Jesuit and Archbishop McCarthy.
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▪ Columbus (20-7, 7A regional semifinalist last year) typically has talent on its roster, but this one is one of the deeper ones it’s had in recent years and one the Explorers hope will be enough to truly challenge Douglas and others for a trip to state. Senior third baseman and Miami signee Mario Mangana, a transfer from Braddock and potential first round draft pick, headlines a roster that includes four Division-I signees in its lineup and four more on its pitching staff. South Alabama signees Rene Ramirez (first baseman) and Matt Rios (pitcher) headline each group.
▪ Doral Academy (24-4, 6A regional quarterfinalist) is coming off an uncharacteristic early exit from the postseason and hopes to get back to state title contender status. The Firebirds have to replace their top two players in Michael Torres and Sebastian Berrios, but return outfielder and North Carolina signee Jadyn Nunez. Third baseman and Miami signee Gabriel Milano adds a solid bat to the lineup and Arizona State signee Marcelo Rodriguez headlines the rotation along with senior Aaron Elisalt and Nunez.
▪ Westminster Christian (25-5, 3A state finalist) will try to regroup for another run at a 12th state title all-time led by two of the county’s top arms - junior Aaron Hernandez, a Wake Forest commit, and senior Austin Weigandt, a College of Charleston commit. Sophomore shortstop Landon Tews and senior third baseman Eric Eisenberg step into key roles in the Warriors’ lineup.
▪ Miami Springs (19-9, 4A regional quarterfinalist) returns several key starters including All-Dade first team catcher Kelven Perera, an Ole Miss signee, shortstop Roydan Perez, third baseman/shortstop Jordanny Gonzalez and outfielder Magdiel Estevez. Senior Kevin Roque headlines the Golden Hawks’ rotation. Springs is in 3A this season where they may have to contend with two defending state champs in Cardinal Gibbons and North Broward Prep.
▪ Southwest (21-7, 6A regional semifinalist) put together a memorable run, which included a district title before losing in the playoffs to eventual state champion Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer. The Eagles move up to 7A this year and return several starters including Miami-Dade College signee, senior outfielder Albert Bell and senior infielder Michael Cabrera. Senior pitcher Pedro Martinez leads the pitching staff.
▪ Varela (17-9, 6A regional quarterfinalist) hopes to make it three consecutive regional playoff appearances and perhaps more led by sophomore pitcher Andy Espinoza and senior Luis Sosa. Juniors Alexander Gonzalez and Jonathan Paniagua should provide consistent offense.
▪ True North (13-12-1, 2A regional quarterfinalist) figures to have the depth to potentially make a deep playoff push. Senior Alan Soler, a UCF commit, has drawn the attention of multiple MLB clubs and spearheads the Titans’ rotation. Middle infielder Misael Uriepero, a Youngstown State commit, leads their lineup along with junior Matias Fischer.
▪ Braddock (17-9, 7A regional quarterfinalist) figures to have the experienced roster to build off last year’s success. The Bulldogs’ pitching staff is deep, led by seniors and Nova Southeastern commits Devin Lopez and Miguel Diaz as well as Jesus Moreno. Another NSU commit, senior shortstop Manny Sanchez, leads Braddock’s lineup along with senior infielder Brayan Martinez and senior second baseman Adam Hernandez.
▪ Belen Jesuit (19-9, 5A regional quarterfinalist) hopes to build off last year’s playoff appearance led by one of the top sophomores in the county in outfielder Jake Cueto. Senior third baseman David Garrido brings talent and experience to the Wolverines’ lineup and infield.
▪ Mater Lakes (16-14, 4A regional finalist) lost some key starters after last year’s impressive finish, but returns senior shortstop Andres Gomez.
▪ Monsignor Pace (19-8, 3A regional quarterfinalist) will have a new head coach as assistant coach Chuck Lyman takes over for longtime coach Tom Duffin. On the field, the battery of senior catcher Robert Kramer and right-handed pitcher Aiden Rivero hope to lead the Spartans back to the playoffs.
▪ Sunset (15-11, 4A regional semifinalist) is two years removed from a trip to the state semifinals. The Knights feel like they have the right mix of pitching, hitting and defense which could return them to that stage this coming season. Dayton commit Nicholas Roca, one of the remaining players from that 2023 squad, leads this year’s group along with junior pitcher Jacob Diamond. Junior infielder AJ Cruz leads a young lineup.
▪ Killian (11-17), one of the more tradition-rich programs in Dade, hopes to regain that level of success this coming season as it takes on a difficult schedule that includes four reigning state champions - Douglas, Tampa Jesuit, North Broward Prep and Cardinal Gibbons. Senior center fielder/infielder Kendry Blanco, an Indian River Community College signee, highlights the Cougars’ lineup. Shortstop Jonathan Acosta is a UNF signee. Senior infielder Lucas Arcaute and senior outfielder Jahdon Heron are each Barry University signees.
▪ Palmer Trinity (20-8-1, 3A regional quarterfinalist) is coming off its best season in school history. The Falcons lost two key starters in ace Jake Pearcy and outfielder Andres Williams, but returns the rest of its starters. Junior shortstop and closer Michael Miraglia hopes to replicate last year’s breakout season and lead a deeper lineup bolstered by catcher Nicholas Miraglia and third baseman Lorenzo Rodriguez.
▪ Gulliver (12-13) is led once again by shortstop Jacob Lombard, the top-rated player in the 2026 class overall. The Raiders hope to have more sources of offense, which could lead it back to the regional playoffs. Senior second baseman Justin Parson and junior first baseman/pitcher Chase Cherne should provide that depth.
▪ South Dade (14-13, 7A regional quarterfinalist) is coming off a district championship season, and hopes to break through again in a tough Class 7A region. Seniors Joseph Medina (infielder), Kevin Cappacetti (outfielder) and Angel Ayala (pitcher) spearhead that effort.
▪ St. Brendan (13-9) has only three seniors on its roster and will be led by junior first baseman and power-hitting lefty Kevin Leon, a Pitt commit.
▪ Ransom Everglades (9-12) is led by junior catcher Juan Velazco, seniors Mason Lastra (outfielder/infielder/pitcher) and Luc Arellano (pitcher).
▪ TERRA (3-15) hopes to see development from a young squad led by a quartet of seniors in utility Julio Candelario, middle infielder Noah Moreno, designated hitter Michael Gutierrez and outfielder Hugo Molero.
