Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

Behind a solid pitching performance from senior righthander Justin Machado (5 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 6 BB) and another explosive offensive display, the Flanagan Falcons defeated the Monsignor Pace Spartans, 15-3, in a 5 inning, run-rule shortened contest.  With the victory, the Falcons advance to take on American Heritage on Friday night in the championship game of the Falcons Challenge Tournament, sponsored by Nike & OTS.

The Falcons took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Geoffrey Jimenez (2-3, 3 R, BB), Collin Martindale (2-2, 3 R, RBI), Ricky Santiago (2-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B, BB) and Pichi Torres (1-1, RBI, 2B, HBP) all hit safely, and Mike Melendez (1-1, 3 RBI, BB, SAC) added a sacrifice fly to deep center.  Flanagan would never look back, picking up 5 more in their 2nd at bat and 7 more in the 3rd inning, after sendng twelve men to the plate.  Gabby Aurrecoechea and Matt Figueroa each went 1-2 for the Falcons, while Ryan Lozada went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs.  

In their two victories over Taravella and Pace, the Falcons have scored 31 runs on 25 hits, while allowing only 9 runs on 10 hits, however, the road to a Falcons Challenge Tournament championship will have to go through American Heritage, which has been equally impressive during the opening week event.