Eighth-grader helps Warriors clinch state title

Just 14, Irv Carter already has verbally committed to UM.

FORT MYERS — Trinity Christian baseball coach Miguel Cuello had two options to choose from when deciding whom to start in Thursday’s Class 2A state championship game. He could go with senior Peron Butler or eighth-grader Irv Carter. He chose Carter. The decision paid off, as Carter tossed five innings of two-run ball in an 8-3 win over Deltona-Trinity Christian, clinching the Warriors’ second consecutive state title at Hammond Stadium.

“You got an eighth-grader on the mound, you somewhat send a message to all the other 2A teams that this kid is here for four more years,” Cuello said. “He could come back here four more years and pitch the way he pitched.”

Carter — who at just 14 already has verbally committed to the University of Miami — struggled early in the game, giving up hits to three of the first four batters he faced and surrendering an early run. He nearly gave up more in the second inning, but t wo plays at the plate saved a pair of runs.

After the first two innings, Carter settled in.

Carter retired seven consecutive hitters from the third through the fifth inning, striking out three in the process.

“It feels amazing,” Carter said. “That feeling, I can’t describe.”

As Carter started dominating, the opposing pitcher began to struggle. The Warriors could not get a hit the first time through the order against Eagles starter Danny Nugent, but the second time through, they got it going.

Third baseman B.J. Murray led off the fourth inning with a single, and designated hitter Angel Tiburcio followed with a hard-hit, two-base error past the Eagles’ third baseman to put runners on second and third.

Shortstop Kaeber Rog drove in Murray on a single to tie the game, then first baseman David Yourke drove in both Tiburcio and Rog to give the Warriors their first lead. Tyler Hall drove in the fourth run of the inning on a long double to left field, scoring Yourke.

The Eagles added a run in the fifth, cutting their deficit to 4-2, but the Warriors came right back with three runs of their own. The first came on an RBI single by second baseman Sherson Randt. Randt then stole second, moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored on a wild pitch.

Hall gave the Warriors a third run in the frame, walking, stealing a pair of bases and scoring on an RBI ground out, giving the Warriors all the insurance they’d need as Butler pitched the sixth inning and Christian Mracna the seventh to seal the victory.

“It’s incredible,” Cuello said. “After last year, that was their goal: Come back here with almost the same team.”