Dade baseball preview: Mater Academy primed for another state title push
Mater Academy and Miami Springs each put together memorable state championship seasons last year.
While Springs is in a period of change as it looks to try to win another, Mater Academy returns virtually the same team and appears to have all the ingredients necessary to become the first Dade school to win back-to-back state titles since Miami Christian in 2018 and 2019.
The Lions, who went 25-9-1 last season, beating Wesley Chapel in the 5A state final, will be led once again by senior third baseman Yodelkis Quevedo, an FSU signee, and senior shortstop Brandon Lorenzo, a Florida Gators signee.
Senior outfielder Jonathan Esponda, a Miami Dade College signee, and Dylan Fernandez lead the outfield. Senior first baseman Bryan Fernandez is back and will pitch along with senior Steven Gonzalez and junior Jaden Lao, a transfer from COHEA who will lead the rotation.
MORE OUTLOOKS
Doral Academy (27-8-1, 6A regional finalist) is aiming to get back to state after back-to-back seasons of falling short in regionals. The Firebirds came close last season before losing a decisive third game in the regional finals against eventual state champion St. Thomas Aquinas.
Doral’s pitching staff and lineup will have a good mix of youth and experience led by sophomore middle infielder Caleb Hernandez, junior catcher/outfielder Jaivyn Francois, and junior right-hander Andy Espinoza, a transfer from Varela. Senior middle infielder Kobe Carrion, senior first baseman Tyler Rodriguez and senior pitcher Matthew Paez will be counted on for leadership.
Columbus (26-7, 7A regional semifinalist) has remained one of the best teams in Miami-Dade County, but a state championship has been consistently denied to them in recent years by Broward powers Stoneman Douglas and West Broward.
The Explorers, who haven’t had any shortage of pitching in recent years, might have the bats to back them up this season led by junior catcher Chubs Fernandez, a Texas commit. Fernandez is joined by returning starting shortstop Max Alvarez and Miami-committed junior catcher Evan Paul. The pitching staff will be led by Stetson commit Ricky Hernandez and Miami commit Matthew Vigil.
Miami Springs (28-3, 4A state champions) is coming off its greatest season in school history after winning the school’s first state championship in the sport.
The question now is, can the Golden Hawks repeat? It won’t be easy as Miami Springs graduated several key players from last year’s title squad and coach David Fanshawe departed to coach at Doral Academy. Former assistant Corey Estrada takes over with a younger squad that is still talented.
Junior pitcher/infielder Adrian Henriquez and junior catcher Jovani Zara lead the revamped Hawks lineup, along with senior shortstop Yordan Torres and junior outfielder Taylor Ancheta.
St. Brendan (19-14, 3A regional finalist) is looking to build on its successful playoff run last season and clinch its first trip to state in over four decades. Senior right fielder Kevin Leon, senior first baseman Lucas Argudin and junior pitcher/left fielder Lucci Nava will be at the heart of that effort.
Westminster Christian (17-13-1, 2A regional semifinalist) will try to regroup after a “down year” by their standards last season. Their ace, senior and Wake Forest commit Aaron Hernandez, is back to lead the Warriors’ pitching staff. A lineup led by senior Ray Lopez, junior infielder Landon Tews, senior catcher Bryan Borges and junior catcher/infielder Fabian Pineiro will try to back up their arms at the plate.
Gulliver (6-21) battled through injuries last season and their star senior shortstop Jacob Lombard was limited during his junior campaign. But expect a big finish to Lombard’s high school career as one of the top overall prospects in the nation looks to follow in his older brother’s footsteps by becoming a first round MLB draft pick. Senior first baseman Chase Cherne is another player to watch for the Raiders.
True North (18-9, 2A regional quarterfinalist) is aiming for a big run in Class 2A this season led by UCF signee and MLB draft prospect Matias Fischer, a senior shortstop. Seniors Mikey Cuenca, a third baseman, as well as first baseman Ernesto Velasco add depth to the Titans’ lineup. Seniors Will Foss and Alex Diaz will top their rotation.
Southwest (17-11, 7A regional quarterfinalist) took regional finaist West Broward to three games last year in their first round series. The Eagles feel they can build on that this season led by senior catcher Anthony Reyes, senior outfielder Orisjoe Valdes and junior infielder Max Rico. Senior Euclides Alvarez figures to be Southwest’s ace once again.
Belen (16-18, 4A regional finalist) returns one of the top outfielders in the state in junior Jake Cueto as well as junior catcher Jose Batista and senior right handed pitcher Victor Escobar as they try to build off last year’s deep playoff push.
Killian (15-15, 3A regional semifinalist) will face one of the tougher schedules of any Dade team as it will play teams such as defending state champs Stoneman Douglas, St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage and Fort Myers Canterbury, as well as several other playoff contenders. The Cougars will be developing a talented roster led by junior catcher/first baseman and UCF commit GianMichael Cueto. Seniors Alejandro Coto, Sebastian Perez and junior pitcher Phoenix Medina are others to watch.
Hialeah (6-12) has a new coach, who is a familiar name to longtime T-Breds fans. Camilo Vazquez, who once formed a formidable 1-2 punch in the Hialeah rotation with major leaguer Gio Gonzalez, returns to the dugout to try to restore a proud program back to contention. Seniors Yaniel Tabares and Miguel Reyes, along with junior Robin Liberatore will be at the forefront of that effort as well.
Palmer Trinity (17-8) believes this will be a breakthrough season for its steadily-improving program. Junior outfielder Kevin Prieto returns to lead the Falcons at the plate after a stellar hitting season. Two senior siblings, catcher Nicholas Miraglia and shortstop Michael Miraglia, anchor two of the top spots in the lineup and defensively. Sophomore righty Pedro Castillo will anchor the pitching staff.
Sunset (11-12) is aiming for a return to the regional playoffs after coming up short last season. The Knights will be led by senior shortstop Nicholas “Rainger” Roca, as well as junior third baseman Julio Gonzalez and senior catcher Rafael Sosa. Senior righty Jacob Diamond leads Sunset’s pitching staff.
Varela (20-10-2, 5A regional finalist) had to rebuild its entire roster due to graduations and transfers, but will look to remain among the county’s contenders. The Vipers’ new group is led by junior shortstop Winkelly Pena, sophomore pitcher/third baseman Carlos Hernandez, and freshman catcher Evan Ferreira.
Coral Gables (12-12-1) is led by talented senior infielder Brian Santana, as well as senior catcher Jake Wolfson and senior pitcher Ulpiano Puente.
Ransom Everglades (16-8) is led by four-year starting catcher Juan Velazco, senior shortstop Enrique Macias and sophomore second baseman Teddy Wagner. Seniors Jacob Rubenstein and Tino Pena lead the Raiders on the mound.
Palmetto (7-17) is led by senior first baseman Christian Dixon at the plate and by sophomore Brayden Arrick on the mound.
Miami Beach (11-15) is led by senior pitcher/catcher Yeiber Vivas, sophomore Gabriel Pena and senior outfielder Julio Piti.
Florida Christian (15-11) graduated 11 players, but will attempt to rebuild quickly behind junior infielder/pitcher JC Leon, junior outfielder Sebastian Rodriguez and senior pitcher Alexi Ramirez.
Hialeah Gardens (14-9) is led by junior catcher Jose Salazar, senior center fielder Jhomar Salazar and junior pitcher Anthony Padilla.
TERRA (7-10-1) is led by junior shortstop/catcher Dylan Rodriguez, junior second baseman/pitcher Carlos Moreno and junior pitcher/first baseman Eduardo Ortea.
Somerset Silver Palms (11-12) will be led by senior catcher/third baseman Bryan Oliva and senior second baseman/pitcher Nick Lopez.
Coral Reef (7-17) is led by Princeton commit and senior right-handed pitcher Adrian Nunez. Sophomores William Vega and Yosueth Henriquez will lead the Barracudas at the plate.
Riviera Prep (3-11) is led by sophomore shortstop/center fielder Brady Feldman, junior pitcher/shortstop Tanner Wasserman and sophomore pitcher/center fielder Martin Uribe.
North Miami Beach (7-10-1) is led by junior shortstop Gabriel Gamon, senior infielder/pitcher Chris Polanco and sophomore catcher/outfielder Giuseppe Ranalli.
Coral Park (3-20) is led by senior third baseman David Fresco, senior catcher Kevin Alonso and senior pitcher Asdrubal Narvaez.
Booker T. Washington (4-7) will be led by sophomore middle infielder Jarvin Lopez and sophomore catchers Guillermo Urbina and Jonathan Tavares.
Miami Country Day (5-13) will be led by senior outfielder Adam Jackson, senior infielder Parker Zaron and sophomore catcher Marcus Ferrer.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 9:14 AM.
