5A-16 District Tournament Preview

Host: Archbishop McCarthy

Schedule:

Tuesday April 22nd

4:00 PM (3) American Heritage vs. (2) Cardinal Gibbons
7:00 PM (4) Pompano Beach vs. (1) Archbishop McCarthy

Thursday April 24th

7:00 PM Championship: Semifinal winners

Overview – Archbishop McCarthy has won the district championship every year since Rich Bielski took over as Manager, which also propelled them to the state tournament each time as well. Back at that beginning it was Cardinal Gibbons who had been the darlings of the district for some time, and realignment has now brought these two old rivals back under the same bracket to renew that history. As the top two seeds in the district tournament, the rivals have a great chance to meet again and battle for another district crown. Playing in Class 5A for the first time this year, both also have the chance to earn their first 5A district title in the process.

Although American Heritage struggled at times this year, it is hard to ignore the talent and ability they possess. The program has just as much history of success, and one win in the district tournament could be all it takes to reignite that spark and drive the Patriots back to the district championship.

Rounding out the field is a young but talented Pompano Beach squad. While the Golden Tornadoes have the toughest road in facing the mighty Mavericks, the team has the talent to face up to that challenge. With a relatively young roster overall, Pompano would need its very best performance to pull off such a huge upset. Facing a team like McCarthy should give them exactly the type of motivation they could need to make that happen.

1. Archbishop McCarthy – Coming down the stretch heading into the playoffs the Mavericks faced some of the toughest teams in the area. As the program embarks on another quest to extend their historical dynasty, the team prepared by facing the caliber of teams that they can expect to meet during the playoffs.

“Its perfect timing for us to be playing great teams,” said Manager Rich Bielski. “We’ve had three incredible games this week, where every team has had 15 or 16 wins.”

McCarthy dropped an epic Game of the Week showdown with fellow county powerhouse Flanagan in a game which ended on a walk-off play in the bottom of the seventh. It was only the Mavericks second loss of the year, and as much as it stings it also serves to give the club an opportunity to tighten down the clamps where they need to in order to go into the playoffs as prepared as possible.

“I’m glad it happened now,” said Bielski. “We always feel that things like this happen now, and now is the right time for them to happen. Get them out of the way and then maybe the balls bounces our way in the playoffs. Maybe there’s a game where we don’t hit the ball or where we get that 18-footer down the third baseline and we’re the ones celebrating in a go-home game.”

The Mavericks are a senior-laden, veteran bunch of battle-tested players. The club has an established identity and every member knows what their role is. Team ace Brian Gonzalez heads a dangerous rotation that also includes fellow senior standout Andres Nunez and lefty closer Aaron Soto. The offense rakes from one to nine, hitting both for power and for average and having the ability to swing big and also employ small-ball tactics as needed. Leadoff man Michael Gigliotti has been a major spark plug this season, setting the table to ignite the lineup behind him.

The defense is the pride of the program, and this year has been more of the same. The team is strong at every position, and the defenders all thrive by giving everything they have on every play. The unit also employs advanced shifts and formations to counter what the opposition attempts at the plate. While the team has been stellar all across the diamond, it is hard to ignore the outstanding play and leadership they have received from senior shortstop Eddie Silva.

McCarthy has saved their best for last for each of the past five years, and their quest for another consecutive state title begins now.

2. Cardinal Gibbons – With Chiefs lifer Jason Hamilton back at the helm this season, Gibbons has worked its way back into the thick of the district chase. A second victory over the Patriots this season will send the Chiefs back to the district championship for the first time in four years.

Pitching has been the key ingredient for this team. Ace Mark Nowatnick has been stellar on the mound, and he has proven that he can hold his own against their district rivals. The right-hander has dominated on the mound this year, which included a stellar performance in a tight 1-0 loss to the Mavericks in their second meeting of the year. Should the Chiefs get past Heritage and earn another shot at McCarthy, they will do so knowing they have a guy on the mound who can keep them in any game.

“We have a little sour taste in our mouths,” Hamilton said after that 1-0 defeat. “The baseball Gods were a little bit in effect, but we know that with our arms we can play with anyone in the district.”

Nathan Pawelczyk and Karl Hirsch have both also been very effective and reliable for the Chiefs, which gives them a great chance in a playoff series where they will need several reliable starters to survive with the title. Gibbons’ pitching has been crucial to help take the pressure off an offense that just over four runs per game.

3. American Heritage – Don’t write off the Patriots just yet. Although Heritage incurred as many losses this season as in the last two years combined, the team has plenty of reason to believe it can shake those struggles off and regroup now when it matters most. History is certainly on their side, as the Patriots have always played their best baseball down the stretch.

The offense has been the driving force for the club. Newcomer Milton Ramos has added some big pop to a lineup that already included the dangerous bats of David Villar and Alec Acosta. As a unit the offense hit over .300 for the season while facing most opponent’s top pitcher.

Heritage has also gotten by thanks to a lot of depth in the order, as they have shuffled the lineup and gotten experience for essentially every guy on the roster.

It is a revamped Patriots’ pitching staff this season, and the club has had mixed results from the group. Yet despite some struggles, the club has plenty of confidence in a group that has plenty of talent and ability. Leading the staff are starter Louis Beck and Patrick Mitchell, while Justin Hernandez and Donovan Futrell have been the main guys coming out of the bullpen.

One area of strength for the club has been their defense, which committed just 20 errors all season. With so much pitching in this district, the ability to make the plays to support their own guys on the mound could pay huge dividends as Heritage chases after another district crown.

4. Pompano Beach – The Golden Tornadoes have developed well throughout the year. With a young group of players competing in a very tough district against three former state champions and two former National Champions, it has been a tough learning curve. Yet Pompano performed well in this group and the players showed their character by buying into Manager Ryan Combs’ game plan and playing solid team baseball.

The small academic school does not have the same luxury of depth as the other teams in their bracket, but they have been fortunate to get the very most out of every guy they have. While it is a tough road to the district championship for them, needing to pull off a huge upset over the top-seeded Mavericks, it is an opportunity for the team to play for a title by beating the best. That is all any club could ever ask for in the playoffs.

Senior AJ Marcantonio has been a great leader both in performance and in guidance for the Tornadoes. The left-hander leads the pitching staff and has faced the vaunted lineups in their district, and now the club is hoping he can adjust from the scouting reports he has developed in facing these clubs.

Defense has been pivotal for Pompano, as it has clamped down to be very stingy at some times and has seen a few contests slip away when it was less successful on the field. The club is particularly strong up the middle, where shortstop Garrett Hiott has quickly developed into a force to be reckoned with.

The second time around against each of their district foes saw much tighter and closer results, and now the Tornadoes are hoping that the third time will be the charm.

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