Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

After a two year absence, the Flanagan Falcons have punched their ticket back to the State Final Four.  It wasn't easy, as the young Coral Springs Colts gave all they could in the 9 inning thriller that ended 2-1.  With yet another strong pitching performance from senior right hander Pichi Torres (9-1), and two incredibly clutch RBI's from senior backstop Corey Janson (2-4, 2 RBI), the "cardiac kid" Falcons moved to 23-2 on the season and earned their 4th Regional Championship in 6 years.  Torres went the distance in efficient fashion, throwing 82 pitches while allowing 1 unearned run on 7 hits and striking out 2. 

Trailing 1-0 going into their final at bat, junior 1st baseman Mike Melendez led off with a single to right centerfield. Gabby Aurrecoechea would pinch run for Melendez and after a ground out by Matt Beauchemin moved him to 2nd base, Janson came up with the season saving hit to left field, knotting things up at 1-1. After a scoreless 8th inning, Torres, who was magnificent on the mound, drove the first pitch he saw hard through the shortstop hole for a lead off base hit in the 9th.  Kyle Schmidt would come on to run for Torres, and he would advance to 2nd base on a single by Matt Beauchemin.  Both runners would advance after a wild pitch and once again, Janson would deliver with a base hit to score Schmidt from 3rd. 

Torres and his defense, again nearly flawless for nine innings, would make the 2-1 lead hold in the bottom of the 9th and the Falcons were on their way to the State Semifinal in Port St. Lucie on Friday May 21st.  Flanagan will play Orlando-Timber Creek at 8:00pm, with the winner taking on the Alonso/American victor on Saturday night for the 6A title.