Archbishop Beats Belen Jesuit to Earn 4th Straight Regional Semifinal Berth

The Mavericks celebrate at home plate after Garrett Kennedy's game-ending 3R-HR

Defending a state title is never an easy thing to do.

But the Archbishop McCarthy baseball team would still rather do so in Port St. Lucie, at this season’s state championship.

Following the Mavericks 12-2 thumping of Belen Jesuit on Tuesday evening, they are one step closer to that goal.

Junior ace Andre Martinez pitched into the sixth inning and the McCarthy offense pounded out 11 hits while scoring in all but the fourth inning in the Class 4A regional quarterfinal played at Archbishop McCarthy High.

“It’s always nice to score early and often,” said Mavericks coach Rich Bielski.

“This time of year it is the team that gets hot that continues playing. We’re playing real solid, fundamental baseball and we have a real shot to make another run.”

The host Mavericks (25-3) will travel to face Key West on Friday in a Class 4A regional semifinal. Key West (17-9) advanced following an 11-1 win over Fort Lauderdale in another Class 4A contest.

McCarthy last faced the Conchs in 2009, coming away with a 5-0 victory in the regional quarterfinals.

Martinez continued his strong season on the mound, improving to 10-2.

“He’s our ace,” said Bielski. “He was dominant early tonight and he has just been pitching great.”

The Mavericks extended their current winning streak to six games, while outscoring their opposition 60-16 during that stretch.

“We’re very together, like a family, and we try to keep doing the same things as last year,” said senior Garrett Kennedy, who ended the game by crushing a 3-2 pitch to right field for a three-run home run.

“You can’t look past anybody, and we only worry about today. Now we can focus on Key West and try to keep moving.”

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