Flanagan Wins District 12-6A Title With Hitting – Defense – Melendez No-Hitter

The last two meetings between District 12-6A rivals West Broward and Flanagan were decided by a combined total of three runs.

Thursday night’s game, however, was anything but close as the Falcons dominated from the start behind a no-hitter by ace Mike Melendez and the strength of 15 hits to batter the Bobcats 11-0 in five innings for the district championship.

On a night when his fastball was more effective than his usual best pitch, the breaking ball, Melendez wasn’t overpowering as just three West Broward players struck out and four walked.

“I was able to spot [my fastball] on the corners,” Melendez said.

“He didn’t have command of all his pitches, but he’s a battler,” Flanagan coach Ray Evans said. “He’ll drop dead out there for you.”

Melendez also ignited the offense as he belted a three-run homer to right center to put the Falcons ahead in the first inning. With runners at first and second and one out, West Broward coach Mike Moss pulled starter Austin Gray and sent Tyler Draughon to the mound. Draughon got the Bobcats out of the inning without further damage and contained the Falcons for a scoreless second inning.

But the Falcons, who will host South Plantation in a regional quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday, were far from done. Andres Sanchez and Zach Collins led off the third with hits. Two runs and three batters later, Ricky Santiago had one of his three hits on the night to load the bases. Robert Collin drove in another run and Danny Zardon brought in two more. Marcus Hadley came in to pitch for West Broward and got Sanchez to ground out to end the inning.

Flanagan kept it going in the fourth as Gabby Aurrecoechea, Matt Figueroa, Ryan Lozada, Santiago and Collin had consecutive hits to produce three runs to give the Falcons the margin they needed to put the mercy rule into effect.

Sanchez credited a better defensive effort Thursday night as the difference between the team’s first two meetings, which they split as West Broward won the first game 4-3 on March 9 and Flanagan took the second 9-7 on April 7.

“Out pitching was better tonight. When you’ve got good pitching, there’s barely any hitting,” said Sanchez, who in the district semifinal Tuesday against Cooper City hit two home runs to break the county record with 16. The previous record was held by former Falcon and current Major League Baseball player Mike Napoli, who had 15 homers in 2000.

Evans said its simply the offensive onslaught that Flanagan is known for that made the biggest difference. He also said the team’s defense has improved.

“We have too many players that can swing it,” Evans said. “We’re so confident [in our hitting].”

Melendez said because of the rivalry, “we tried to do too much [in the first two games]. Tonight, we just relaxed and let the game come to us.”

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