No Superman; Together, The Mavericks Are Supermen In 6-1 Regional Final Win

Archbishop players celebrate their fourth straight trip to states.

Ask any coach or player on the Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks, and their answer will all respond with the same answer, “We have no Superman.”

Those words came out of the mouths of co-ace Andre Martinez and shortstop Nick Basto in separate interviews Friday night. The pair had each, in their own way, just played the role of Superman on this night, carrying Archbishop back to the state final four with a 6-1 regional semifinal win over Naples. Almost on cue, Bielski echoed the sentiments of his two star players.

“We talk about it all the time, with the team we have, nobody has to be Superman,” said Bielski. “It could be anybody on any night, and they’ve shown that throughout this playoff run. The other night it was Nick (Travieso) and Jason (Morozowski), and tonight it was Andre (Martinez) and Nick (Basto). We have very talented players, and it’s almost like they enjoy taking turns stepping up.”

Archbishop (25-4-1) will now head to Port St. Lucie to defend its state title. The Mavericks will take on Lakewood Ranch from Bradenton in a state semifinal Thursday.

The Mavericks were facing an old foe Friday evening in the Golden Eagles. The two teams have accounted for the past three 4A state championships, with the Mavericks winning the past two, and Naples taking home the trophy in 2009. With both teams moving up to 6A this year, it was almost destiny that they meet for the right to go to state.

Archbishop showed early on that it had no intention of giving the state honor back to Naples. In the first inning, the Mavericks set the tone when Martinez shut down the Golden Tornadoes in order, and the Archbishop offense put up three quick runs.

The Mavericks’ Nick Basto after one of his two doubles on the evening.

Morozowski, who drove in the first run Wednesday night in the regional semifinals, started the first-inning rally with a beautifully executed bunt base hit down the third-base line. After Brandon Roberts reached on an error, Basto delivered the first of his two doubles on the night, giving the Mavericks a 2-0 lead. After a strikeout, designated hitter Ryan Sinzenich drove in the third run of the inning with a base hit up the middle.

“Getting those runs early helped me out a lot on the mound,” said Martinez. “I’m just so proud of these guys. We have worked so hard to get better each day throughout the year, and we’re a close group. Every day it’s someone different that steps up. We all have such a trust in one another, and we all know if someone falters, someone else will pick them up. That’s the way we’ve been all year.”

Martinez certainly would not need anymore runs than his teammates provided in the first inning. The left-handed senior cruised through most of the evening, only getting into one jam, in the fifth inning. Up until the fifth, the Golden Tornadoes did not have a hit, but after two singles in the frame, coupled with an error, the bases were suddenly loaded. With one out, Martinez attempted a pick-off at third base, and when the throw got away, Naples scored what would be their only run of the night. The Mavericks senior then struck out the next two batters to end the threat. Afterwards, it was that “S” word that again came up in describing what this Mavericks team is all about.

“We have no Superman,” said Martinez. “And it’s not just the players out on the field that make us successful, it’s the coaches, it’s the players in the dugout, it’s everyone. We all have a different job to do, and together, when we get the job done, it’s special.”

Archbishop co-ace Andre Martinez delivers a pitch during the Mavericks 6-1 win.

The offense did tack on three more insurance runs in the second. Jonathan Quintana hit a one-out single, Ada Duarte reached on an error, and Morozowski drove them both in with a booming triple to right-center. Basto’s second double of the game scored Morozowski, and essentially ended the season for the Golden Tornadoes. As has become the mantra for these Mavericks, Basto also deferred to his teammates.

“There’s no Superman on this team,” said Basto. “Tonight, I came through, but so did other guys. We do it all as a team. It’s never about one person, it’s always about each player working together as a unit. I’m just glad in my senior year that we’re going back with a chance to defend our titles.”

The week ahead will be familiar to the Mavericks, as they will be on their way to the state final four for the fourth straight season, a stat that even Coach Bielski finds amazing with the bulls-eye this team has had on its back all season long.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” said Bielski, “Especially our seniors. After winning back-to-back state championships, the task just seems insurmountable. The pressure that’s on them to get back there again with the big target on our back each game, seeing everybody’s ace all year long. The seniors really stepped up, such great leadership, and you have to have that to have a winning ball club.”

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