Douglas Wins Third Straight BCAA Tier 1 Championship

In 2023, the BCAA (Broward County Athletic Association) began an in-season tournament for its member schools. The tournament is divided into three tiers, with Douglas, the current four-time defending state champions, being in the top tier tournament each year.

While the tournament was developed to create some competition among BCAA member schools, the Eagles have used the event to showcase just how far ahead of their peers that they are.

On Friday night, Douglas won their third straight Tier One championship, defeating West Broward 3-0. Winning the tournament has become a prerequisite for the Eagles, on their way to state titles.

“Winning the BCAA tournament all three years they have held it is important, since it gives us a really good gauge on where we are as a team,” said Eagles Manager Todd Fitz-Gerald.

While that may be true, there has not been a lot of competition for Douglas during their nine games in the tourney over those three years. The combined score in the nine wins, is 64-4. The three championship games have had a combined score of 26-1, with two of those title games being shutouts.

Responsible for the latest title game shutout were starter Chase Wildroudt, who went 5.2 innings, allowing only five hits, while striking out five and walking none. Andrew Sarro threw the final 1.1 innings, with three strikeouts, allowing only one hit.

The offense was not as productive as it had been in the prior two championship games, but there were some big hits for the Eagles on Friday. A second inning fielder’s choice from Jake Rizzo gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead after two innings.

In the fourth, Rizzo picked up his second RBI of the game with a single to right-field. Later in the inning, a Bennett Gary fielder’s choice plated the Eagles third run of the game.

West Broward has been on the wrong side of tourney wins in all three of the Tier One tourneys. The last two years, the Bobcats have lost in the title game to Douglas, and in 2023, it was in semis. The combined score of those three games were 25-0.

To say that West Broward has been the only team that has felt the Eagles wrath in this event through the first three years, however, would be inaccurate, as Douglas has used their tournament teams as sparring partners.

For this years team, however, games in events like this carry significant meaning.

While most of the Eagles state title runs the past four years have been fueled with veteran and seasoned players, the 2025 squad has many players who have not played in high pressure situations.

“We have plenty of guys who haven’t experienced playing in bigger games yet,” said Fitz-Gerald. “So the more we can piut them in these situations early in the year, the better off our team will be down the road.”

While the current version of the dynasty may ne inexperienced, they do not lack in talent or results on the field. Douglas has started the season 7-1, and is expected to be the #1 team in the HSBN Broward Power Rankings when they are released on Monday morning.

The Eagles will get Palmer Trinity and Boca at home early next week, before the Bobcats will get their shot at revenge, hosting Douglas on Friday.

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