Flanagan Set To Host A Familiar Foe In Fellow Former State Champions Park Vista

The last time that Flanagan and Park Vista played one another it was an exciting 10-7 decision won by the Cobras, a back and forth contest whose outcome was not easily decided.

But that was just a preseason game.

With much larger stakes on the line in Friday’s Class 6A regional championship, the Falcons are eager to show Park Vista just how far they’ve come as a team since that loss.

“It didn’t mean as much as now, but in my high school career we have never beaten this team,” said Flanagan senior shortstop Ricky Santiago. “I’m glad we do get one more chance to play them and it would be nice for us to finally get them.”

The Cobras also defeated Flanagan in a sweep in the 2008 regional championship, which Santiago admits was a loss to a better team full of Division I prospects.

Except now the Falcons are the defending state champions, the team on a hot streak and playing loose yet dominant baseball. In four playoff wins they have outscored their opposition 54-6, with two shutouts. They have won 15 straight games dating back to a 4-3 loss to West Broward on March 9^th, a game they avenged with a solid 12-2 victory over the Bobcats in last Friday’s regional quarterfinal round.

“We’re showing really well right now, swinging the bats well and playing really good defense,” said Falcons coach Ray Evans. “It should be a great game between us. It usually is.”

Every senior on the team has a scholarship, another resemblance to the Cobras former teams.

“It is not just talent; we practice a long time every day and we work really hard,” said senior Mike Melendez, who has signed with Nova Southeastern University. “There are no days off. Physical mistakes may happen but mental mistakes can never happen.”

Even this deep into the season and practicing in the hot summer sun for another week, the Falcons are excited and anxious, bringing a game-face with a smile whenever they take the field.

“We are privileged to still be at practice,” said Santiago. “We’ve been able to hit all year, and the pitching and defense has been picking up. We need all those things to win. We have more than enough hitting but now that it has started to click and everyone is carrying their weight it has really picked up.”

While the bats have been incredibly dominant this season, it’s the Falcons defense that Coach Evans is quick to point out as another bright spot.

“Some of the catches our outfielders make, and even when they cut of a ball and keep hitters to deep singles, it’s been huge,” said Evans. “Santiago and [senior second baseman] Matthew Figueroa have been a double-play producing machine. Then we have Kyle Schmidt behind the plate, and he can throw out anybody. It’s no secret how we have been successful.”

Santiago admits the chemistry between him and Figueroa is a product of the trust they’ve earned from playing together for four years. When a runner gets on at first they are itching to get that double play and they don’t have to say anything to know where the other will be.

“We just know, we don’t have to say,” said Santiago.

With such an overall aggressive offensive and defensive approach, the Falcons pitchers are pressure-free and don’t have to be afraid to throw the ball over the plate.

“I just try to throw strikes and trust the defense,” said Melendez, who will take his 8-2 record on the mound to start Friday against the Cobras. “I know they’re going to give me runs in support.”

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