HSBN South Florida Hall of Fame Coach Paul Barrios called it quits last week, ending a long career, and HSBN sent him out with one final interview, and surprise zoom party with some of his closest friends… Relive that magical night, that was all caught on video, right here! Enjoy! Coach Barrios Interview & Zoom Surprise Party!

Championship Game Photo Gallery: Douglas 2025 7A Championship Game Press Conference: Douglas Box Score The Douglas Eagles have won the past four 7A state titles in many different ways, from strong pitching, to overpowering offenses. And in most years of the run, the Eagles were dominant. Coming into the 2025 season, Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald was faced with the idea that the 2025 squad had a lot of questions to be answered. Many of his players had not played big roles in previous titles, and he was unsure what to expect from his team. For the first time, Douglas looked vulnerable. Sometimes, vulnerability can lead to greatness. The 2025 Eagles completed a record-setting fifth straight state title run on Saturday, by defeating Jupiter 3-2, and in the process, became the most successful Eagles team of all-time, at 31-2. The win secured not only a state title, but positioned themselves for another possible national title.

“We spoke yesterday about how this team was different from past teams,” said Fitz-Gerald. “They played loose, sometimes too loose for my liking, but when it came time to get the job done, they stepped up. And now they become the team that created history for us.”

That history, five straight state titles, is something that no Florida team has ever done, in over 100 years of high school baseball. Erick Torres became one of only a few players in state history to win four state titles, and he summed up what it was like. “The guys that came before us set the standard, and it was up to us to carry that standard on,” said Torres. “And now, it is up to us to pass that standard on to the next guys. It is a family here at Douglas, and we just continued to do what the players that came before us did.” Of all their titles, this one was the one that was most in question. They ran into a Jupiter team that outhit the Eagles 10 to seven. For most of the game, it appeared that the defending champs were on the ropes, but like many champions, they reacted by coming up with the big hits and pitches, when the Warriors could not, and it led to the 3-2 win.

“That was a great baseball game today,” said Fitz-Gerald. “It could have gone either way, but we were able to make a big pitch here, come up with a big at-bat there, and in the end, these guys solidified themselves as one of the best teams to win a state title here during this run.”

In recent memory, only Archbishop McCarthy has come close to the success of a dominant run as the Eagles are on. The numbers Douglas have put up have been staggering. Since 2021, Douglas has an overall record of 145-11. During that time, they have outscored their opponents 1199-269. It is a run of dominance that may never again be seen at the high school level.

“We talked yesterday about how special this is,” said Fitz-Gerald. “This has never been done before, and I don’t think it will ever be done again. We are just enjoying the process, and the family atmosphere that has been created. You look up into the stands, and there are a ton of alumni that come back year-after-year. There is a pride associated with what we have done, and everybody from the coaches, to players, to the school, has felt it, and has been a part of it.”

So what is next for the Eagles, well of course its a run for number six. Losing 14 seniors will again have the Eagles looking to reload, but they will have a big starting point with ace Gio Rojas again anchoring the staff in 2026. Whatever the future brings, Douglas has already set themselves apart from the rest of their competition, and have set a standard that every high school program in the state will strive to become.

Box Score 6A Championship Game Photo Gallery: St. Thomas 2025 6A Championship Game Press Conference: St. Thomas The secret is out, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders can hit. Coming off a monster performance in the state semifinal, the Raiders did what they have done all year when it mattered the most. Staying true to character and every bit as real as they hype, St. Thomas slugged its way to an 8-3 victory over the Buchholz Bobcats to win the Class 6A state championship, Saturday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. It is the fourth state title for the Raiders (29-6-1), and the first for Manager Joey Wardlow. For a program with such storied history and pride, the chance to add another chapter is hugely significant to St. Thomas Aquinas. Each title was won by a different manager, a lineage of success that has fed and supported one another over the years. Ed Waters, “The Legend”, won it all in 1995, and Robert Lawson in 2003, followed most recently by Troy Cameron in 2018.

“There’s a work ethic when you step in at St. Thomas Aquinas,” Wardlow said. “We had a great message yesterday from Coach Lawson, and Coach Cameron, and Coach Waters is here with us. Some of the alumni sent us a message in a video, and it is STA Pride. It is kind of in every thing we do.”

With earned confidence and a lineup that simply could not be stopped, the Raiders wasted no time in cementing this title run. Three runs in the first were followed quickly by three more in the second that made the difference to victory, as they continued to pound the baseball, put runners on base and wear down the opposing Bobcats. “Like I said yesterday, when we get some runs, we’ve only got to stack one or two at-a-time. Every run we get, they’ve got to score two to beat us,” Wardlow said. “So we went with that plan, we took advantage of some mistakes and it kind of worked out.” Brady Buxbaum delivered the first big blow to get the scoring started. After starting pitcher Jonathan Lopez walked and gave way to courtesy-runner Brad Sigler Jr., Zachary Malvasio singled to bring up Buxbaum, who lined a double to left field to drive in both runners. Andrew Alvarez then sent him in with an RBI single to center. Buchholz answered back in the bottom of the first. Kai So worked a lead-off walk, and was replaced by courtesy-runner Drew Almond. Joaquin Gardner then jumped on a 2-1 offering and crushed a two-run home run over the left field fence to pull the Bobcats (33-3) to within 3-2.

“When you score runs in an inning, you don’t want to give up runs the next inning. But that guy put an excellent swing on that ball,” Wardlow said. “It was a good pitch; it was down. It’s going to happen. But that happens and you don’t panic. We talk constantly about it. We know what we are going to be able to do throughout the game.”

Proving the strength and depth of the lineup, it was C.J. Pangallo batting in the nine-hole who sparked the next scoring burst. Pangallo led off with a base hit to center, Nico Sabatino kept it going with a single as well, and Jonathan Lopez followed with a double to right field that plated them both to make it a three-run lead again. Joshua Jennings then delivered an RBI single to left to drive in Sigler. In one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire state tournament, Sabatino then came through with his glove for a highlight reel catch that was nothing short of spectacular. Buchholz’s Zac Brown crushed a ball to center leading off the bottom of the second, on a blast that seemed destined for three bases and perhaps more in the cavernous outfield of this MLB field. But Sabatino tracked it down and reached over his shoulder to snare the ball with the incredible catch that stole all the momentum. In his preparations in practice on the back fields, Sabatino realized that he would be able to play more shallow in this outfield. With the amount of room he had behind him, he knew that he could run down any fly ball.

“There’s always two sides of the game. Even if you’re not doing great offensively, you can make a play to save the game,” Sabatino said. “That’s how you’ve got to approach it. If you strikeout or pop out, you try to go out there and make a play. That’s what I did. I was 1-for-5, but I made a play and was able to save us a couple of runs today.”

The Bobcats eventually tallied one last run in the fifth, but never got any closer. The Raiders matched that when Alvarez scored on a wild pitch in the seventh. Jonathan Lopez was effective and successful in his outing on the mound, giving five solid innings to earn the win. He allowed all three runs on five hits and three walks. He also recorded three strikeouts, even though he was pitching with a different game-plan in mind.

“We have a phenomenal defense, so my mentality going on the mound was just fill it up and let them hit it,” Jonathan Lopez said. “They’re playing in a big league ballpark. It’s 405 to center, 330 to the corners. I knew that if I could fill up the zone, I definitely had a chance to win this game.”

Andres Lopez closed out the final two innings to preserve the victory. The senior right-hander scattered three hits and struck out three in two scoreless frames. Once that final out was accomplished, all that was left was to celebrate and enjoy the moment.

“The most exciting thing this whole weekend, was being able to stand at the back of the dugout and watch them dogpile,” Wardlow said. “We have a rule that we don’t dogpile unless it’s the end of the season, the last game. They’ve been waiting a long time.”

For a good many of the Raiders, another thing they have long been waiting for was their high school graduation. But as that also happened at the same time on Saturday, back in Broward County, the Raiders made the choice to have their graduation memories cemented in another manner. All 15 members of the 2025 Class donned their caps and gowns and ‘graduated’ on the field at Hammond Stadium. “The game started at two today, and graduation started at three. They knew that. We’ve been talking about that for months,” Wardlow said. “It’s a big deal, your graduation. You’re going to remember it. We have fifteen seniors, all contributing in just so many ways. Their core memory from today is not only going to be the game and being together, but traveling together and the hotel, the dogpile, the win, the medals, and graduation that they missed. But I think they had more fun here.”

Box Score Championship Game Photo Gallery For the fourth time in program history, the American Heritage Patriots are state champions. With a convincing 6-1 victory over the Mulberry Panthers, Heritage earned its second title in three years on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The Patriots (28-6) also won the title two years ago in 2023, and have played in three straight finals after also falling to the Jesuit Tigers in last season’s 5A championship. Heritage first won in 2008, and also won the 2012 state final. Heritage did not waste much time in taking control. Mulberry had last won the second of its two state titles back in 1960, and are not regulars at the state tournament the way Heritage has been. But the Panthers (27-10) were back after reaching the Final Four a season ago, and this time around they had advanced to the finale. But once the Patriots landed the first blow with a five-run second inning, the Panthers were never able to respond back with a crooked number. The first three batters all reached to load the bases for Heritage in the second. Sebastian Garavito singled to right field and was replaced by courtesy-runner Ethan Till, Zack Wilson walked and Hayden Harrison was hit by a pitch. Christopher Levy then got the party started with a liner to left for a two-RBI double. A balk plated another run, and a walk to Jordan Rich put runners on the corners. Rich then broke for second and drew a high throw that allowed Levy to score. R.J. Machado next delivered a sac-fly RBI that drove in Rich. An inning later the Patriots tacked on their final run of the night. Blayden Caballero singled on a liner to center, Garavito walked and Wilson singled to right to load the bases once again. A wild pitch then allowed Caballero to come home. Mulberry answered back to get on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. Dominick Gotauco was hit by a pitch, Nic Partridge walked and Griffin Cline reached on an error that loaded the bases. A.J. Medina then sent an RBI single into right field to drive Gotauco in and avoid the shutout.

A grounder to right field off the bat of Blayden Caballero gave the American Heritage Patriots a 3-2, walk-off win over the Arnold Marlins on Monday night, in the Class 3A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The Patriots (27-6) advance to Tuesday’s 4A state final, where they will face the Mulberry Panthers at 7 P.M., also at Hammond Stadium. The Panthers (27-9) advanced to the finals with a 3-2 victory over the Jesuit Tigers in Monday’s other 4A semifinal. With a pair of base runners on and one out in the bottom of the eighth, Caballero jumped on the first pitch he saw to step up and be the hero for his team. After setting the stage with a double to center, R.J. Machado came around to score the deciding run that now has the Patriots playing for a chance at their fourth state championship in team history. Caballero was 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk and a run to lead the Heritage offense, the only batter on his team to record multiple hits. Dylan Dubovik was 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and an intentional walk, and Joseph Castro went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Caden Garro earned the win, after throwing two-and-two-third innings of scoreless relief. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out four. Starter Talan Holiday struck out eight over five-and-a-third innings of work, surrendering two earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Douglas Semifinal Photo Gallery 2025 FHSAA 7A Semifinal Press Conference: Douglas There comes a point with the Douglas Eagles when you can run out of superlatives to describe their team and program. Today, however, is not that day, as the current version of the program continued on Friday to write their own story in what has become a dynasty for the ages. Douglas cruised to a 7A semifinal 5-0 win over Tampa Alonso behind the left arm of ace Gio Rojas. The junior continued to show why he is one of the top junior pitchers in the entire country, with a mesmerizing performance, a complete game, one hit, 15 strikeout masterpiece. Rojas, who had an injury in 2024 that kept him off the mound in Fort Myers, relished the opportunity to get his first start at states.

“I felt good out there today,” said Rojas. “I obviously couldn’t be out there last year, so getting on the mound today was awesome. I knew what my job was, and I just went out and tried to execute each pitch.”

To say he executed with precision would be an understatement, as he completely dominated an Alonso lineup that had put up 18 runs in three game last week. When asked about their approach coming into the game against Rojas, Ravens Manager Landy Faedo did not mince his words. “Our approach was to just not strike out. Do everything possible to just put the ball in play. But even with that approach, it didn’t work out to well.” In fairness to the Alonso hitters, that approach has not worked out to well for any teams in 2025, as Rojas had a county-leading 103 strikeouts in 59 innings coming into Friday. Rojas also led the county in ERA at 0.83, and wins, with 12. “This is what he has done all season long for us,” said Douglas Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald. “You couldn’t ask for much more than what Gio gave us out there today.” Offensively, the Eagles combined aggressive baserunning, with timely hitting, to give Rojas the five runs he needed. The offensive attack was spread throughout the lineup, with Erick Torres leading the way with two hits. Jake Rizzo, Drew Freeman, Lorenzo Laurel, and Cade Raley all had RBIs for the Eagles, while Rojas, Freeman, Torres, Laurel, and Bennett Gary scored a run each. The win moves this year’s Eagles into rare air during the team’s five year state Final Four run. They became the second team, joining the 2022 team, to reach 30 wins. With a win in the state final on Saturday, the 2025 team would officially become the most successful team in school history, with a 31-2 record. That is something Fitz-Gerald, even with all his confidence, could not have predicted from a team that appeared to be his most vulnerable of the past five years. They came into the season having to replace many key parts from last year’s title run, and had the least experience of any team since their first title team back in 2021. Additionally, this team has a personality that is much more flamboyant and loose than previous Eagles’ squads. That loose personality could be a reason for this year’s success, which Fitz-Gerald pointed out.

“Sometimes they are too loose. But what they are is a close group. We weren’t sure what we were going to get out of them this year, but as a group, they have stepped up and risen to the challenge.”

That challenge now has only one game standing between Douglas and history. While Archbishop McCarthy has previously been to five straight state Final Fours, no team in the over-100 year existence of the FHSAA, has ever won five straight titles.

“They have a chance to do something very special tomorrow,” said Fitz-Gerald. “Something that has never been done, and I may be wrong, but something we may never see happen again.”

Standing in their way will be a familiar foe in Jupiter Manager Joe Giummule. The Warriors manager, who has taken his team all the way to the state championship game in his first year with the program, had been at Taravella the past six years. The Trojans are a city rival of Douglas, and Fitz-Gerald and Giummule have squared off many times throughout the years, but never with a state championship, and history, at stake. The 7A state title game between Jupiter and Douglas is set for today, at 5PM.

Box Score Photo Gallery From the very first pitch to the very last, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders feasted. With a chance to play for a state title on the line, the Raiders left no question of the outcome in opening an immediate lead and throttling to the finish line for a 15-0 win over the Bloomingdale Bulls, in Friday’s Class 7A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

“We looked in anticipation at this game today,” St. Thomas Aquinas Manager Joey Wardlow said. “We could feel adrenaline when we pulled in today. It was nice to get here a few hours early and enjoy the atmosphere and the environment, and be present in it. So when we stepped out there, our first inning went well on defense, it was pretty good on offense, and it took away some of the incoming jitters we had in being there.”

St. Thomas (28-6-1) now faces the Buchholz Bobcats for the chance to win its fourth state title, the last of which came in the 2018 season. Buchholz (33-2) advanced with a 3-0 shutout over the Wharton Wildcats in the other 6A semifinal. While that matinee contest went right down to the wire, the Raiders made quick work of the Bulls to slug their way back to the title game. They opened a 5-0 lead in the first, and scored in every inning to keep adding on. Six runs in the bottom of the fourth reached the mercy-rule limit that ended the game, as catcher Joshua Jennings connected for an RBI single that plated Zachary Malvasio to walk off the victory. Nico Sabatino found the same result to start the contest, as he lined a double to left field to begin the bottom of the first inning. Jonathan Lopez then smacked his first offering to left for an RBI single and an immediate Raiders lead. Sabatino went 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs, and also walked to reach base three times.

“That’s my job and I get the team going,” Sabatino said. “I saw a fastball away and I hit the double to fire my team up. It’s my job as the leadoff. I’m there to get the battery going, to keep the line moving. It was pretty surreal. This is probably the biggest game of my life, and the stadium is beautiful. It definitely took away the jitters and now our offense is ready to go. As you saw, we put up five in the first.”

They were only just getting started. An error allowed Malvasio to reach and keep the inning going, and Brady Buxbaum plated another run with an RBI single to center. Jennings reached on an error and was replaced by courtesy-runner C.J. Pangallo, and next Andrew Alvarez smacked an RBI double to right. Cole Lasher followed with an RBI single, and then initiated a double-steal play that allowed Lasher to swipe home and increase the lead. “We talk about base runners and barrels,” Wardlow said. “If we get base runners, somebody is going to barrel a ball. If they stay in the middle of the field, they open it up.” Sabatino connected for a solo home run in the third. “I saw a fastball middle-in and I just turned on it,” Sabatino said. “It felt good, but I’m obviously not trying to do that. But I got into one. There’s nothing else to say; I got a pretty good swing on it.” All day long the bats found that sweet spot, as the Raiders showcased their offensive dominance and tremendous power capacity. Alvarez and Malvasio both collected three hits on the day to lead the batters.

“Coach Wardlow says, put it on them early and never let it off,” Alvarez said. “We got five in the first, and you just have to keep pouring it on with that kind of energy. That is how we played. Everything flowed well, and our coaches just teach us to get the foot down early, swing on top, and we swung it good. We got good pitches and we didn’t miss them, and everybody just passed it on to the next guy. It’s a surreal feeling and that is what you work for, so it felt great. Baseball is a game of failure, so when it is working, it’s a good feeling.”

Now the Raiders look to carry that good feeling to a title celebration. Standing in their way is a Buchholz Bobcats team that has lost just twice all season, but will be tasked with stopping an offense that produced 14 hits, four walks, and 13 RBI of the 15 total runs scored. With a shortened game due to the lopsided result, the Raiders’ pitching staff is also in tremendous position. Thomas Giltner tossed a complete-game shutout to earn the semifinal win, while keeping the entire rest of the pitching staff fresh and available for the most important game of the season.

Box Score The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are going back to the state tournament. Behind a massive display of power and several big scoring innings, the Raiders earned a 12-6 win over the host Doral Academy Firebirds on Saturday. After suffering their first loss of the playoffs in Game Two, the Raiders bounced back to win the decisive third game to claim the series victory and win the 6A-4 regional title. The Raiders (27-6-1) advance to the state Final Four, at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers beginning on Friday, May 16th. They will be playing for their fourth state championship, most recently winning it all back in 2018. Four runs in the top of the second put St. Thomas in control, and, after Doral answered right back with three runs in the bottom of the frame, a five-run fourth inning paved the way to victory. Nico Sabatino was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI to set the tone from the lead-off spot, while Jaden Doverspike, Andrew Alvarez and Brady Buxbaum all hit home runs. Buxbaum was hit by a pitch and Alvarez walked to get things started in the second, and an error allowed both runners to score and put St. Thomas out in front. Doverspike then doubled that lead when he deposited a 1-0 offering over the fence for a two-run home run. George Pardo Jr. stole some of that momentum back by smacking a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second, which helped ignited the Firebirds (26-8-1) in stringing some hits together. Gavin Ruvalcaba and Gabriel Milano then had RBI singles to get Doral right back into things. But with two runners on in the top of the fourth, Sabatino came through with an RBI single and Zachary Malvasio supplied a sac-fly RBI. Buxbaum then connected for a three-run blast that had the Raiders up 9-3 and tasting the victory.

In speaking to Douglas Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald in the lead-up to Thursday’s regional championship series game two against West Broward, there was a feeling of uneasiness about the game. Yes, Douglas had won game one 6-0, and had not lost yet in regional play. But Fitz-Gerald, who always has a feel for the game, just had an inkling that the Eagles would have their hands full in game two. And that they did. After jumping out to a 4-0 lead, Douglas watched as West Broward scored two runs in the fourth, four more in the sixth, and one in the seventh, to take a 7-4 lead. What Fitz-Gerald did not account for, however, in his uneasiness, was that after four straight years of regional and state titles, it was going to take more than a gut punch to knock the current version of the Eagles dynasty out. In the bottom of the seventh, Douglas showed their championship pedigree, by scoring two runs to cut the lead to 7-6. From there, it was time for another in the long line of Eagles players during this title run, to step up. Junior Lorenzo Laurel stepped to the plate, and delivered the biggest swing of the year, a two-run blast into the Parkland night, giving the Eagles an 8-7 win, and sending Douglas back to where no Broward public school team has ever gone, to their fifth straight state Final Four.

“Tonight was a great comeback by our guys,” said Fitz-Gerald. “It truly showed how resilient they are. The seniors made it a point not to lose their last game at home, and to continue the winning traditions that the teams before them have sent.”

As for the hero of the night, Lorenzo came into the game hitting just under .300, but with four home runs on the year. “Really happy for Lorenzo tonight,” said Fitz-Gerald. “Was a huge moment for him, and hopefully we can ride that momentum into next week.” Despite the tight game Thursday, Douglas will head to Fort Myers as once again the favorite to win a state crown. The Eagles came into the season having many young, unproven, players in the lineup, but head to Fort Myers as one of the most successful teams of their five year run at 29-2. Douglas won their two district tournament games by a combined 7-0 score, and have rolled off six straight regional games, with a 45-11 score differential. The Eagles will be the top seed going into the state final four in 7A, and will be awaiting results from Saturday to see who they will match up with in the state semifinals. If Alonso defeats Venice, Douglas will face Alonso. If Venice prevails, Douglas would be looking at a match-up with Jupiter, who wrapped up their region also Thursday, by knocking off Park Vista in two games. No matter who the opponent, the task will be tall to take down the four-time champs, but the Eagles Manager is taking it one step at a time.

“Tonight we are going to enjoy this regional title, and tomorrow we will start focusing on those last steps. What we know is there will be four strong teams in Fort Myers, so we will just prepare like we always do, and be ready to play next week.”

HSBN sat down with Eagles Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald to discuss his teams dominance so far this postseason, and their upcoming match-up with the Bobcats… 7A Regional Final Preview: Douglas Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald

HSBN sat down with Firebird’s Manager Ralph Suarez to discuss his team’s upcoming, much-anticipated series with St. Thomas in the 6A regional finals…Enjoy! 6A Regional Final Preview Chat with Doral Manager Ralph Suarez

Crosstown rivals Douglas and Taravella square off in a regional semifinal series starting Wednesday. HSBN sat down with the two managers to discuss the series, and their seasons so far in 2025… Semifinal Preview Interview: Douglas Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald & Taravella Manager Jorge Miranda

Mater Academy and Pines Charter have both come on strong down the stretch, and will meet in the regional semis. HSBN sat down with the two managers to discuss the series… Preview Interview: Mater Academy Manager Humberto Bencomo & Pines Charter’s Carlos Iglesias

Two of the hottest teams in South Florida down the stretch are ready to face off in a regional semifinal, and HSBN spoke with both managers, previewing the series… Preview Interview: Archbishop McCarthy’s Mike Fiers & Varela’s Brian Alvarez

The Eagles and Warriors are set for an epic regional semifinal showdown, and HSBN sat down with both managers to discuss the series… 3A Regional Semifinal Preview: North Broward Prep vs. Calvary Christian

Chaminade-Madonna was one of the co-favorites coming into the 2A-14 district playoffs, along with University School. The two teams combined for a 45-6 record this year coming into their showdown on Thursday night. After surviving COHEA in a 17-inning marathon in the semifinals, one of the best games in recent South Florida history, the Lions had to play extra innings again to capture their first district title in 16 years. Chaminade defeated the Sharks 1-0, in a hard-fought, eight inning affair, dominated by strong pitching on both sides.

“It’s been the same story all year. Great pitching, good defense, a wall behind the plate, two strike hits, and focusing on our brand of baseball,” said Lions Manager Mark McCoy.

It was a three-headed monster that combined for the shutout, as Gage Agate went the first 3.2 innings, allowing only three hits. Manny Delaosa then got the final out in the fourth, and Santiago Arismendi threw the final four innings, giving up only two hits to a Sharks lineup that has terrorized opposing pitchers all season long. For their part, University also held their own on the mound. Aiden Jacobs, who has logged quality innings all season for the Sharks, started the game and went 5.2, scattering three hits. In the eighth, after two quick outs, Joshua Andel singled up the middle. Miguel Roa then walked, putting runners on first and second. John Bishop then singled in the only run of the game. For Bishop, the single was his second late-game heroics of the week. Bishop also had the walk-off hit in the 17-inning affair with COHEA. For the Lions, the win capped a nearly flawless 23-3 season. They will head to regional play with an eye on a state championship, a vision that began way back in the summer.

“These kids worked hard all summer, fall, and winter, In the end it came down to our captain Gage Agate on the mound, and our senior shortstop John Bishop, with a second extra-inning walk-off hit this week,” said McCoy.

Although they lost the title game, the Sharks have some strong momentum going into regional play. University had won 15 of their last 16 coming into the district final. They again will be co-favorites with Chaminade to represent their 2A region in the state final four. In order to reach that goal, it is likely these two teams could see each other again in just a short few weeks, with more than a district title on the line.

With every season that Brian Campbell has been the manager at North Broward Prep, there has been the consistency of what his squads look like throughout the year. Like clockwork, the season plays out like a well-rehearsed play. 2025 is no different. Schedule high quality opponents. Check. Lose some early-season games due to that schedule. Check. (The Eagles started 3-2) Round in to form around mid-season. Check. Which brings us to, begin their playoff run with a district title. Check. NBP won their fifth straight district title on Thursday night, defeating American Heritage-Delray 2-1, in a hard-fought, well-pitched, championship game.

“American Heritage has been playing well, and they are well-coached,” said Campbell. “I’m really proud of my team, especially the pitching staff with Rostock, Baldassarri, and O’Neill. Heritage’s staff did a great job, but we were able to get the timely hit to win.”

That timely hit came off the bat of junior Adrian Rodriguez, who doubled to right-field, bringing in the Eagles two runs on the night. The aforementioned Rostock, Baldassarri, and O’Neill made sure those two runs were enough to hold up. Rostock started the game, and went five innings, allowing only two hits, while striking out nine Stallions. Baldassarri took over in the sixth and worked around a lead-off walk by getting a double play and a ground out. In the seventh, Heritage-Delray mounted their biggest threat of the game, when Nico Bellantoni was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Alex Zhao doubled, putting runners on second and third. A groundout scored Bellantoni. Dylan Ober the appeared to tie the game with a sacrifice fly, but the runner was called out on appeal, and the Eagles had secured the district title. The win was the 13th in the past 14 games for NBP, and as they have in previous state title years, they now enter regional play with a ton of momentum and confidence. Despite that, Campbell understands that there is no room for error starting next week. “Obviously, everything gets harder now in regionals, and we are looking forward to the challenge.” The Eagles will be one of the favorites in Class 3A, and there is a chance them and Heritage could meet again down the road. The Stallions will also head into regional play with their 15-11 record, and showed on Thursday evening that they will not be an easy out for anyone come regional play. The final rankinghs for the 2025 season will be out on Friday, which will determine the regional quarterfinal match-ups that start on Monday.

The Douglas Eagles baseball team has been so dominate over the past four years, that not many people understand that their local dominance started way before their current state title run. The Eagles, had won 11 straight district titles coming into their match up with Western in this year’s finals. What they were not expecting Wednesday, was the most challenging title game they have faced in those 12 years, but that is just what the Wildcats handed them, in a 1-0 Douglas win.

“I think both teams competed really well,” said Eagles Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald. “Pitching was really good on both sides, and we were fortunate to come away with the one run we needed, before we held on to win the game.”

That pitching match up consisted of Eagles ace Gio Rojas, and Western’s Mason McGeehan. The two lefties were spectacular. Rojas threw six innings of shutout baseball, and McGeehan went 4.2, allowing only one run. The lone run of the game came across in the fourth when Brody Gargiulo scored on a passed ball. That run held up, as Breylann Courtney relieved Rojas to start the seventh, and shut down the Wildcats in order after a lead-off walk. Fitz-Gerald appreciated the level of play in the district final. “It is good for high school baseball when these type of competitive games are played. It was a good start to our playoff run.” The district title was the 12th straight for Douglas, and to say that the Eagles have been dominant in these title games, would be an understatement. Douglas has won the 12 games by a combined 79-18 score. The last six district title wins have been even more impressive, with Douglas winning 53-5 over those games, with three of them being ten-run rule victories. Even with the loss, Western will advance to the regional playoffs next week, where they will learn their opponent Friday. Douglas, will begin their four-time defense of the 7A state crown, and will be heavily favored to again find their way to Fort Myers. With the new two-out-of-three regional playoff format, it has become even less likely that a team can upset the Eagles over the next three weeks, but Western’s performance Wednesday, could serve as a wake-up call that nothing can be taken for granted.

Box Score Manager Mike Fiers has added his name to the legacy at Archbishop McCarthy this season, and Wednesday night the team earned their first-year skipper his first district championship trophy. The Mavericks broke open a tight, scoreless game with an eruption of late offense to storm off with an 11-1 win over the Pembroke Pines Charter Jaguars to win the District 5A-15 title. “Winning districts is a great accomplishment, but we have much higher goals for this season,” Mavericks Manager Mike Fiers said. Every starter in the Mavericks lineup got a hit to contribute in the win, as McCarthy (16-11) piled up 14 hits overall. Shortstop Danny Machado led the way atop the order, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs, while Juan Cerra went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run. Kaio Ramos was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Caden Coleman went 2-for-3 with a run. The Mavericks have been a streaky team this year, and currently they are on a three-game winning streak. They also had an eight-game winning streak earlier this season, but also a four-game losing streak and two back-to-back losses. “We’ve had a roller coaster season, but the guys are making the adjustments to become more of a consistent team,” Fiers said. “We are a well-rounded bunch, led by our seniors.”

With a two team district, the Knights are heavy favorites to emerge as district champions, but their seniors have their sights set on something bigger, a state title. Join HSBN in honoring the 2025 Highlands Christian seniors. It has been great covering you throughout your careers, and we wish you luck in your lives after high school! Jacob Tullier Matthew Friedman Sage Chartier Alexis Pena Will Harris

The Bucks only have two seniors on their young squad, but with nobody standing out ahead of the pack, Deerfield is looking to make a play for the 6A-14 title. Join HSBN in honoring Joseph and Javier, as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. It has been a pleasure covering you both throughout your careers, and we wish you luck in the future! #17, RHP, CF, SS, Joseph Yastine #24, UTL, Javier Sierra