Nationally ranked Heritage upset by Naples in final
Timely hitting was a staple for American Heritage’s baseball team throughout what was shaping up to be a historic season.
But on Monday night against Naples High, the Patriots never got that one clutch moment that would have kept its championship hopes alive.
American Heritage left 10 runners on base including seven in scoring position as the Patriots (26-2), ranked No. 12 in the nation by MaxPreps, were upset at home, 4-2, by the Golden Eagles in the Region 4-5A final.
“When [Naples] needed a big pitch, they got it. When they needed a big strikeout, they got it,” American Heritage coach Michael Macey said. “We didn’t get the big hit. Maybe we pressed a little bit, but these guys have come up big all year long. That’s baseball for you.”
The Patriots entered the game on a school-record 22-game winning streak, and were seeking to end a decade-long title drought dating back to when they won their second state title in 2012, and a string of frustrating losses in regionals during that span.
Senior pitcher Erik
Blair, a University of Florida signee, looked poised to propel Heritage closer to that elusive goal early on.
After a shaky first inning in which he walked the leadoff batter and gave up a run-scoring single, Blair zoned in and struck out 11 batters — including one stretch of 10 strikeouts in 12 batters faced — to keep Heritage in the game.
But Naples would start a two-out rally in the top of the fifth when C.J.
Bussell reached on a bunt single and Blair walked Michael Graziano.
With Blair’s pitch count running high, Macey pulled him for senior and Virginia signee Evan Dobias,
who then walked the bases loaded.
Naples catcher Marcos Torres then lined a tworun single to right field, which ended up putting the Golden Eagles (22-9) ahead for good.
“He got up over 80 so there was really no thought of leaving him in,” Macey said. “I wasn’t going to do that to that kid’s arm. He’s got a bright future going to Florida. I’ll lose a game before I get a kid hurt.”
Heritage, which left the bases loaded the prior inning, left two more stranded after Andrew Ortiz and Blair hit singles to put runners on first and second with one out.
Naples first baseman Johnny King, who relieved starter Reilly Witmer in the fourth inning, proceeded to strike out Lucas Ramirez and snare a line drive right back at him off the bat of Zain Diaco to end the inning.
Ray Bermudez’s double down the right field line put runners on second and third with two outs for Heritage in the bottom of the sixth, but the Patriots ended up with the same result when King struck out Blair to end the inning.
Heritage finally got a clutch hit in the seventh when Diaco singled to score Manuel Henriquez with two outs. But Brian Cordero struck out looking on a full count to end the game and the Patriots’ season.
“It was a great season and I can’t take that away from this team,” Macey said. “They never quit and fought to the end in every single game. The best regular season record in school history, the winning streak. They accomplished a lot.”