Douglas Wins 14th Straight District Title

The Douglas Eagles baseball team has seen more adversity in 2026, then they have faced in their entire five year state title run, combined. Early in the season, the Eagles started hearing the questions. Was something missing with this team? Could this team provide enough offense? Is this the year the dynasty ends?

For most of the year, those questioned remained, as Douglas lost five regular season games for just the second time during their current six year run.

Something started to happen, however, as the calendar turned to March. The Eagles went 14-3 in the seasons final six weeks, and on Thursday, they returned to the district championship game, a rite of passage, it seems, for the program.

Douglas defeated Western 6-0 in the title game, after defeating Taravella 3-0 in the district semifinals. The combined 9-0 score, showed again why these Eagles will be the favorites when regional play starts next week.

“It was just a great overall team performance tonight,” said Douglas Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald. “Winning the district is always one of our goals coming into the season, and it was nice to accomplish that goal tonight. It was our 14th straight district title, which shows the depth of the program during that time.”

The Eagles turned to their ace, Gio Rojas in the district title game, and Rojas did what he has done all year long. The senior lefty threw a complete game, allowing only two hits, while striking out seven.

Offensively, Jackson Taylor went 2-for-3, with a home run and two RBIs. Rojas, RJ Ruiz, and Reid Dadic added RBIs for Douglas.

With the district title now complete, Douglas will turn towards extending their record five straight state titles. The road in 2026 will be one of the toughest Douglas will have faced during their run.

Columbus and West Broward both won their district championships, and are both teams that have beaten Douglas earlier this year. They are also the two teams the Eagles have tormented most over the past five years, as the Eagles have stood between some very good Bobcats and Explorer teams and a state title shot.

Add to the mix Southwest, who also won a district title Thursday night, and the region has the makings of being one of the most competitive in the state.

Despite all of that, the Eagles are ready to remind everyone that the road to Fort Myers still goes through them.

“I give credit to Western, and the team they have over there,” said Fitz-Gerald. “But tonight was about Stoneman Douglas re-establishing themselves, and reminding people that we aren’t going anywhere right now.”

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