High School Sports Blog

Miami-Dade County district baseball schedule

Here's a look at this week's district baseball schedule for Dade teams:

MONDAY

District 14-8A semifinals at St. Thomas University: Goleman vs. Miami Springs, 4; Reagan vs. Coral Gables, 7

District 15-4A semifinals at La Ley Sports Complex: Ransom Everglades vs. La Salle, 4; TERRA vs. Doral, 4

District 16-3A quarterfinal at Westminster Christian: Palmer Trinity vs. Somerset, 4

District 14-2A semifinal at Moore Park: Horeb Christian vs. Champagnat Catholic, 4

TUESDAY

District 13-8A semifinals at Alex Fernandez Field: Hialeah Gardens vs. American, 4; Krop vs. Hialeah, 7

District 15-8A quarterfinals: Braddock at Sunset, 3:30; South Miami at Southwest, 7

District 16-8A semifinals at Killian: Palmetto vs. Southridge, 1; Killian vs. South Dade, 4

District 16-6A semifinals at Westland Gardens Park: Belen vs. Westland Hialeah, 4; Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Mater Academy, 7

District 14-4A semifinal at Monsignor Pace: Jackson vs. Archbishop Carroll, 7

District 16-4A semifinals at Tavernier Coral Shores: Gulliver vs. Key West, 4; Coral Shores vs. St. Brendan, 7

District 15-3A semifinal: Dade Christian at Miami Country Day, 4

District 16-3A semifinals at Westminster Christian: Florida Christian vs Marathon, 1; Westminster Christian vs. Palmer Trinity-Somerset Charter winner, 4

District 15-2A semifinals at Miami Christian: Princeton Christian vs. Westwood Christian, noon; Brito vs. Miami Christian, 3

District 16-2A semifinal at Colonial Christian: Redland Christian vs. Island Christian, 4

WEDNESDAY

District 15-8A semifinals: South Miami-Southwest winner at Ferguson, 3:30; Braddock-Sunset winner at Columbus, 6:30

District 16-6A final at Westland Gardens Park: Belen-Westland Hialeah winner vs. Hialeah-Miami Lakes-Mater Academy winner, 7

District 15-4A final at La Ley Sports Complex: Ransom Everglades-La Salle winner vs. TERRA-Doral winner, 7

District 14-2A final at Moore Park: Horeb Christian-Champagnat Catholic winner vs. Mater East, 7

THURSDAY

District 13-8A final at Alex Fernandez Field: American-Hialeah Gardens winner vs. Hialeah-Krop winner, 7

District 14-8A final at St. Thomas University: Goleman-Miami Springs winner vs. Coral Gables-Reagan winner, 7

District 16-8A final at Killian: Southridge-Palmetto winner vs. Killian-South Dade winner, 4

District 14-4A final: Jackson-Archbishop Carroll winner at Monsignor Pace, 7

District 15-3A final at Miami Country Day: Mater Lakes-Curley winner vs. Dade Christian-Miami Country Day winner, 7

District 16-3A final at Westminster Christian: 4

District 15-2A final at Miami Christian: Princeton Christian-Westwood Christian winner vs. Brito-Miami Christian winner, 3:30

FRIDAY

District 15-8A final at Braddock: 3:30

District 16-2A final: Redland Christian-Island Christian winner at Colonial Christian, 4

Gulliver baseball ranked No. 2 nationally by ESPN, 3 others in top 50

With the baseball season in its second week, Gulliver's baseball team is earning top spots in the national polls.

The Raiders are ranked No. 2 by ESPN Rise's Top 50 poll. Gulliver, the defending Class 3A state runner-up, is also expected to be in the top two when Perfect Game releases its top 50 Friday.

Also cracking the ESPN top 50 were Flanagan at No. 15. The Falcons are the defending Class 6A state champions.

Westminster Christian, the two-time defending Class 2A state champions, came in at No. 43.

And Archbishop McCarthy, the defending Class 4A state champions, debuted at No. 46.

Longtime Dade official and coach Ralph Lewis passes away

I opened my email this morning to learn the sad news that Ralph Lewis, a longtime official in multiple sports and coach in Miami-Dade County, passed away late last night after an 18-month battle with leukemia.

Lewis, 54, officiated numerous high school and college events around the state for over two decades, as well as coached and worked at Killian and Palmetto High Schools.

This past May, we had the privilege of honoring him at our All-Dade Awards breakfast with our annual Walter Krietsch/Leo Suarez Courage Award for his years of dedicated service to high school student-athletes in South Florida.

Speaking on a personal note, Lewis was a generous, caring and professional individual, who was always willing to help others and was a pleasure to be around and work with.

The kind of guy that officiated a high school football game on a Friday night, then hit the road right after to go to Dade City and officiate a state cross-country championship at the crack of dawn the next morning...and do it with a positive attitude. He was a classy individual that will be missed.

On behalf of the Miami Herald's high school sports staff, I'd like to extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Dorothy Lewis and his extended family.

Funeral arrangements and details haven't been made available yet, but we will have that information soon either on this blog or in the newspaper.

- Andre C. Fernandez

All-Star baseball in Dade and Broward Tuesday night

    Already having baseball withdrawals now that the season is over?

    Tuesday night's action in Dade and Broward should help a bit.
    

    The Midway Sports Miami-Dade County All-Star game will be played Tuesday at 7 p.m.
at FIU Stadium. The game will feature the top players in the county from Class 6A Dade
teams against a team comprised of players from teams in Classes 4A-1A. The game will
feature 16 Division I signees and potential picks in next month's Major League Baseball
amateur draft. The Class 6A squad will be coached by Columbus' Joe Weber and American's
Ricky Gutierrez. The Class 4A-1A squad will be coached by Westminster Christian's Emil
Castellanos and Doral Academy's Ernie Perez.

   The Broward County Athletic Association all-star baseball game will be played 7
p.m. Tuesday at Nova High School in Davie. Admission is $5. The event features top
seniors from BCAA-member high schools. It was originally scheduled for May 26 but was
postponed because of rain.

Westminster Christian SS David Thompson breaks home run record

Westminster Christian sophomore shortstop David Thompson is Miami-Dade County's new home run king...and could be on his way toward one of the greatest careers the county has ever seen.

And he did it with an inning for the ages.

Thompson, who entered the state final four with 17 homers, hit two more in the same inning Monday to break the county's single-season home run record of 18 previously set by Monsignor Pace's Adrian Cardenas in 2006.

Thompson also tied the state record of 19 shared by Miramar Florida Bible's Frankie Figueroa (1996), Merritt Island's Tommy Parrott (1999) and Tampa Catholic's Donnie Scott (1978).

And the record-breaker was an inside-the-park home run that followed a shot that left the park to begin a 9-run fourth inning that brought Westminster back from a 4-0 deficit.

Oh yeah, the Warriors won 13-5 and are headed to Tuesday's Class 2A final where they will try to win back-to-back state championships. Westminster faces St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep at 4 p.m. at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

All-State baseball teams for Classes 3A-1A

   Several top baseball players from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties highlighted the
Class 3A-1A All-State teams released late Tuesday night.

   Three members of Miami Westminster Christian's state championship squad made the
Class 2A first team. Senior catcher Anthony Iglesias and outfielders Carlos Saade, a
senior, and David Thompson, a freshman, led the Warriors to their first state title
since 1998 in May.

   Miami Christian senior third baseman Gaby Escoto, who hit safely in all 28 games this
past season, also earned first team honors.

   State runner-up Plantation American Heritage was represented on the Class 3A in the
form of shortstop Deven Marrero. Miami Gulliver Prep senior pitcher Steven Rodriguez and
Miami Florida Christian catcher/designated hitter Danny Canela also made first team.

   Brito Miami Private junior designated hitter Manny Machado was the only player from
Dade or Broward to earn first team honors in Class 1A.

   The All-State teams for Classes 6A-4A are expected to be released Thursday.

   Here's a look at the rest of the players that made All-State from Dade and Broward:

   Class 2A … Second team: P Michael Arostegui, Westminster Christian, Sr.; INF Blake
Martinez, Weston Sagemont, Jr.; OF Michael Taylor, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy,
Sr.; UT Kevin Moesquit, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian, Jr.; Honorable mention: P
Kyle Young, Westminster Christian, Sr.; C Taylor Gushue, Fort Lauderdale Calvary
Christian, Fr.; INF David Corral, Westminster Christian, Sr.; OF Julian Loret deMola,
Westminster Christian, So.; Jameel Middlebrooks, Westminster Christian, So.

   Class 3A … Second team: P Mike Clark, American Heritage, Sr.; Bryan Radziewski,
Florida Christian, Sr.; Dylan Wolchik, Coral Springs Charter, Sr.; INF Eric Acevedo,
American Heritage, Sr.; Stephen Perez, Gulliver Prep, Sr.; OF Alex Marrero, Florida
Christian, Sr.; Third team: P Jimmy Nesselt, American Heritage, So.; C Breandon Sedell,
American Heritage, So.; INF Hector Crespo, Florida Christian, Sr.; OF Patrick Grady,
Pompano Beach, Jr.; Honorable mention: P Chris Diaz, Gulliver Prep, So.; C Matt Watson,
Pompano Beach, Sr.; OF Jonathan Torres, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, Sr.

Dre's picks are back! Opening round for baseball; Decision day for softball

An action-packed day awaits around Dade and Broward with the regional quarterfinals for baseball and the regional finals for softball.

The biggest game for baseball could be at Alex Rodriguez Park....I mean Mark Light Field where Florida Christian takes on Gulliver in front of an expected crowd of at least 2,000 people.

Should be a great pitching matchup between Radziewski and Rodriguez. This one is happening one round early after Chaminade upset Florida last week.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say Gulliver, a steadily improving team all season.

Here's the rest of the games with some bold predictions.

Region 3-6A

South Broward at Douglas, 3:45 -- Ashley Bulluck, the 6-8 pitcher for South Broward got the Bulldogs here with that huge win against Flanagan. He'll keep it close, but Douglas prevails.

Taravella at Cypress Bay, 7 -- Taravella

Region 4-6A

South Dade at Columbus, 4 -- Fred Burnside's Bucs are the Cinderellas of the playoffs. But no one has touched Gus DeQuesada in these playoffs. He gets Columbus to Friday and likely a fifth matchup with Ferguson.

Ferguson vs. Palmetto (Southridge), 7 -- Another very good pitching matchup as Ferguson likely throws Javy Barros against Casey Delgado of the Panthers. The Falcons' have a bit more of a potent lineup and look for them to break up the duel. Ferguson

Miami Springs vs. Goleman (St. Thomas U.), 7 -- Gators went to state last year and have been kind of lost in the shuffle this year. They still have a solid arm in Jerrald Mejia and some good hitters.

American vs. Hialeah (Alex Fernandez), 7 -- American has been scrappy team the whole season, but Hialeah has pulled out some close games to get to this point. Add another one as they get payback for last year's 1st round exit. Hialeah

Region 4-5A

Naples Gulf Coast at Nova, 7:30 -- The Titans have been picking up momentum of late with some big wins including the district victory against Aquinas. Look for them to set up a rematch.

St. Thomas Aquinas at Cape Coral Mariner, 7 -- Did I say rematch? I may have typed too soon. Mariner is 24-4 and on the road, and I think will be "google-ing" how to get to Nova on Friday. Mariner

Region 4-4A

Pembroke Pines Charter at Belen, 4 -- Belen keeps on winning after surviving its tough regular season schedule. The Wolverines seem to get stronger this time of year. I say they keep their season going for their departing coach Tony Meilan. Belen

Key West at Archbishop McCarthy, 7 -- The Conchs scored a huge win by knocking out Pace in the district semis. They were brought down to earth by Belen, and will be sent home by a more talented Mavericks squad. McCarthy

Region 4-3A

Florida Christian vs. Gulliver (Mark Light), 7 -- See intro, I took Gulliver

Tavernier Coral Shores at Chaminade, 4 -- The Lions will have a tough start to the playoffs from a solid Coral Shores squad. But they battle as it showed when they rallied in the final three innings to beat FC. Chaminade

Boca Raton St. Andrews at American Heritage, 7 -- The defending national champs haven't lost in a while. Don't expect them to in this round anyway. American Heritage

Coral Springs Charter at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 7 -- CSC is one of the top small school teams in Broward. They've been in the mix the whole season and look for them to earn another shot at Heritage. Coral Springs Charter

Region 4-2A

Dade Christian at Westminster Christian, 4 -- Westminster

Miami Christian at Miami Country Day, 7 -- Miami Christian

West Palm Beach Summit Christian at Highlands Christian, 7 -- Summit Christian

Calvary Christian at Delray American Heritage, 7 -- Delray Heritage

Region 4-1A

Sheridan Hills vs. Brito (Florida Memorial), 7 -- Brito

Champagnat at Westlake Prep (Seminole Rec. Center), 4  -- Westlake

SOFTBALL REGIONAL FINALS

Region 3-6A

Lake Worth Park Vista at Cooper City, 7 -- The Cowboys have played a brutal schedule that has set them up for this. Park Vista is 24-2 and they beat Palm Beach Gardens, but that wasn't your big sister's Palm Beach Gardens. Cooper City

Region 4-6A

Ferguson at Goleman, 4 -- Great job by Goleman and it's coaching staff this season. When does Ferguson leave for Plant City?

Region 4-4A

Pines Charter at Cocoa Space Coast, 7 -- Unless something special is waiting for them near Cape Canaveral, Pines and  and star pitcher Lauren Sewell are headed back to state.

Region 4-3A

American Heritage at Gulliver, 4 -- It wouldn't be right if the softball playoffs didn't have a showdown between these two teams. They have met eight years in a row with Gulliver leading the series 5-3. The only way the Raiders win is if Sara Buchholz pitches lights out, maybe even into extra innings. But with her recent back injury, that's going to be tough. Either way Heritage's lineup is tough to slow down. American Heritage

Region 4-2A

Delray Beach American Heritage at Westminster Christian (Palmetto Bay), 7 -- The Warriors get their first tough opponent of the playoffs. Luckily for them, they beat some of Class 2A's best during the regular season. Westminster

Region 4-1A

Fort Lauderdale Christian at Lake Worth Christian, 4 -- Lake Worth advances.

Krop, Gulliver, American Heritage clinch state tennis championships

I just got word from Altamonte Springs that the Krop boys' and girls' tennis teams have swept the Class 4A state tennis championships.

It is the third consecutive title for the Lightning girls, while for the guys, it is their fourth in six years.

Gulliver's boys, who won all their matches yesterday, are putting the finishing touches on their third straight title.

American Heritage's girls, after clinching their second straight state title yesterday, are working on individual gold now.

Palmetto's girls finished second, and Coral Gables' boys are playing a doubles match this afternoon against Boca Raton Spanish River that could land them a runner-up spot.

We'll have all the final results and stories later tonight online and in the paper tomorrow.

GMAC baseball today has been moved!

Due to poor field conditions at Alex Fernandez Field after that nasty T-storm yesterday, Tuesday's GMAC quarterfinals have been moved to Killian High.

The Killian-Goleman game will be at 2:30, followed by Hialeah-Columbus immediately after weather permitting.

If there are more changes to the schedule, we will post them here.

GMAC baseball first round - Big wins for Ferguson and Southridge; North half interrupted by inclement weather

Due to that monster thunder storm that hit the North Miami area this afternoon, the Killian-Goleman and Hialeah-Columbus games at Alex Fernandez Field were postponed until Tuesday afternoon.

The other half of the bracket at Southridge went on without any weather issues. Ferguson broke open a tie game in the fourth inning and mercy-ruled Miami Springs 11-1 in six innings. From Melissa Arteaga's story that will post later online at www.miamiherald.com/hssports: Ferguson senior Javy Barros (5-1) threw a complete game and allowed just two hits and an unearned run, while striking out three. Senior Bryant Elliott went one-for-three with a double and three RBIs to ignite the Falcons’ fourth inning rally.

In the late game, Southridge won a closer game 7-4 against American to advance to the semis. The Spartans, a favorite to win it will play either Hialeah or Columbus next.

The tournament will now be run over the next 3 days. Here's the new schedule.

TUESDAY

Quarterfinals

Killian-Goleman (Fernandez), 3:30

Hialeah-Columbus (Fernandez), 6:30

WEDNESDAY

Semifinals

Ferguson vs. Goleman-Killian winner (Southridge), 3:30

Southridge vs. Hialeah-Columbus (Southridge), 6:30

THURSDAY

Championship at site either Alex Fernandez or Southridge, 6:30