Douglas routs Palm Beach Gardens for back-to-back state titles
Whenever the Stoneman Douglas baseball team has won a state championship, a national title has followed.
On Saturday night at Hammond Stadium, Eagles’ coach Todd FitzGerald put one finger in the air to remind everyone where he and his players felt they should remain ranked among all the high school baseball teams in America.
Douglas solidified its top national ranking per Baseball America and Perfect Game following a convincing 10-0 mercy rule victory over Palm Beach Gardens in the Class 7A state championship game.
“I told those guys to give me the best seven innings you’ve given all year,” Fitz-Gerald said. “These guys were hungry and deserving and are about to do something that no high school team has done before.”
Douglas would need only five innings to finish off the Gators.
After blanking Palm Beach Gardens on the mound for that span, Eagles pitcher Chris Arroyo stepped up to the plate and crushed a ball over the right field fence for a three-run homer to invoke the 10-run mercy rule and start the Eagles’ celebration.
“This is great to be able to do what I can do for my team and do my best for them,” Arroyo said. “All I thought about was that this can’t be the last time I’m running the bases. I just prayed that I could make it special.”
Douglas won its third state title since 2016 and second in a row. The Eagles became the first Broward County public school to win back-toback state titles since Flanagan (2005-06) and tied the Falcons for the most state titles for a Broward public school.
Douglas’ victory was the most lopsided in a state final by a Broward public school.
The Eagles (30-2), who are also ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps behind only unbeaten Michigan powerhouse St. Mary’s Prep (31-0), figures to be a lock to finish at the top in at least two major polls.
For Fitz-Gerald, it would be the fourth time he has won a state title in his coaching career with national titles coming in each of those instances. FitzGerald also led Plantation American Heritage to a national title in 2008 — a squad that included San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer.
“It’s so rewarding because these guys give it every day at practice,” Fitz-Gerald said. “These guys make me who I am. I just keep their minds and focus in the right place.”
Jake Clemente, who pitched a one-hitter on Friday night to help Douglas advance to the final, crushed a pitch from Palm Beach Gardens starter Robbie Throop more than 400 feet to left field in the second inning for the Eagles’ first run.
Douglas then broke the game open with five runs in the third highlighted by a two-run double by Ole Miss signee Roman Anthony.
Clemente, Christian Rodriguez and Niko Benestad each finished with two hits. Santiago Ordonez and
Ryan Lujo each had a hit and an RBI.
Arroyo continued the Eagles’ dominance on the mound, allowing only two hits and one walk and striking out seven.
Arroyo and Clemente, each University of Florida signees and potential MLB draft prospects, formed a formidable trio along with Rodriguez at the top of Douglas’ rotation this season. The three combined to strike out 220 batters and walk only 56.
“It’s amazing because pitcher after pitcher, everyone has your back,” Arroyo said. “Even if it’s not your best day, our hitters can count on us.”