State Champs: Archbishop McCarthy Goes Back-To-Back In Class 4A

Coming into the state final game against Tampa Jesuit, Archbishop figured this game might be decided with a single run. Jesuit had their ace Lance McCullers on the mound and he was throwing in the nineties with nasty offspeed action early on.

The Mavericks had one of their aces on the mound as well in Alexander Fernandez, and on the mound, he was in control.

Fernandez, however, helped his team with the bat, as he blasted a 2-1 pitch from McCullers over the left field wall in the third inning, giving Archbishop all they would ultimately need to win their second consecutive 4A State Championship 4-1.

After watching Archbishop in the state tournament, it can be deduced that this is not a team that never make mistakes, rather, they are a team that knows how to overcome them. They are a team that may fall behind, but they know how to make things happen and battle back. They are a team that appears focused, energized, and under control in times of trouble, and also in times of jubilation.

It is also helps that they do not have one ‘superman,’ as Coach Bielski put it after the game, they have many (Jose Brizeula was the team’s superman in the semi-final game.)

They are team, and their players even go so far as to say they are a family – and on Wednesday night there were several heroic feats that ultimately led their team to their second consecutive 4A State Championship.

“We are so proud of our boys,” said Archbishop Head Coach Rich Bielski. “That team we beat today was an excellent team, and they put up an incredible fight like we knew they would… these boys here all stepped up on a big stage and with the spotlight on… It makes me proud, not only as a coach, but as a father, because we have a family here at Archbishop. Coach Fernandez instilled that in our program, and that’s what makes us special.”

The first inning started out just as many fans had predicted, with neither Tampa Jesuit ace pitcher Lance McCullers, or Archbishop starter Alexander Fernandez, giving up much. Archbishop went down 1-2-3 against MCullers in the first, with two strikeouts. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers managed a hit, but it led to no runs. The pitcher’s duel for the 4A title was on.

In the second, the Mavericks had their first batter reach base when Chris Thompson drew a two-out walk. The center fielder then promptly stole second, and ended up at third when the Jesuit catcher’s throw sailed into center. Thompson was stranded at third, however, when MCullers struck out the next batter looking.

The Tigers also threatened in their half of the second. Adrian Chacon drew a walk, but was eliminated at third when he attempted to advance from first on a Conor O’Brien single to right. It was the second straight game the Mavericks’ right fielder Adam Duarte has had an assist – and it once again stopped their opponent’s momentum.

With the pitchers controlling the day, everyone knew it was going to take something special to break the scoreless tie. In the top of the third, Adam Duarte, as he has done so often during this playoff run, sparked Archbishop when he singled sharply to left-center with one out – the first hit of the game for the Mavericks. After a Mavericks strikeout, Santos stole second and Nick Basto walked, setting the stage for Alex Fernandez.

After working his count to 2-1, Fernandez launched a drive over the left field wall, and the dugout, and the fans, went crazy. The jack gave McCarthy a 3-0 lead on just two hits.

“When I went up to the plate, I didn’t try to hit a home run, all I was trying to do was make contact and hit the ball up the middle,” said Fernandez, of his approach heading into what will now become a historic at-bat. “It was a 2-1 count, and he made a mistake, and I just did my job and hit the ball hard.”

Being a state runner-up last year to Archbishop, the Tigers were not about to go quietly. In their half of the fourth, McCullers drew a lead-off walk. He then moved to second and third on consecutive wild pitches, and scored when Pete Alonso singled just past the glove of Basto at short. With score 3-1, Schultz singled, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The single also ended the day on the mound for Fernandez.

Nick Travieso was called upon to work out of the jam. The junior got Max Beerman to ground out to first, then proceeded to strike out Chacon. After getting two strikes on O’Brien, Travieso uncorked a wild pitch, but catcher Garret Kennedy hustled to the backstop and threw a strike to a charging Travieso who tagged out Alonso at the plate to end the inning.

“I thrive off of those situations,” Travieso said of his ability to come in and work out of the jam. “With runners on and a tight game, I love coming in and closing the door.”

When asked about the play at the plate to end the inning, Travieso responded. “It was just a reaction, pretty much. I slid like I was sliding into home, and I just caught the ball and tagged him out. I just had to run to the plate and hope for the best.”

The Mavericks answered Jesuit’s run in the fourth with one of their own in the fifth. Duarte, who has terrorized opponent’s catchers, stole second after he walked to get on first. An infield hit by Brizuela moved Duarte to third, and a Basto ground out extended the lead to 4-1. Duarte finished the game1-for-1, with two walks, three stolen bases, and two runs. He also threw out a runner each in the state semi-final and final game.

“I came into the tournament thinking ‘I want to help the team, and not be selfish. Just get on base however I can. If I have to walk, I’ll walk. If I get a hit, that’s fine, but if not, just try and make something happen,'” said Duarte. “I did what I wanted to do, and I love my team, and couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Travieso kept the Tigers bats off balance during his 3.1 innings. In fact, the Mavericks pitcher did not give up any hits while on the mound. In the seventh, Travieso ran into a little jam when he hit Chacon and pinch-hitter Austin Jurado reached on an error. Bielski then called on closer Brizuela to shut the door, which the senior did with ease, striking out the final two Tigers to end the game and give McCarthy their back-to-back state titles.

“That last pitch, I wanted to strike him out,” said Brizuela. “I wanted to know what it felt like to get that last out and for everyone to come and just tackle me. It’s honestly the best feeling ever, especially when you’re with your brothers.”

The family atmosphere clearly rubbed off from the coaching staff down to the players, and now Bielski and his squad can look forward to a probable national championship. The team was ranked number one in the country coming in, and did nothing but strengthen their claim for the national title.

“It’s something we’re very happy to be a part of,” said Bielski, of the potential national championship. “It’s beyond dreaming. I didn’t even dream this good. And I dream pretty good.”

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