Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

For the first time since 2006, the Flanagan Falcons (24-2) are back in the 6A State Championship game, after an 8-4 semifinal victory over the Timber Creek Wolves.  With a 14 hit outburst where every starter delivered a hit, another complete game performance from senior righthander Pichi Torres (10-1) and phenomenal defense, the boys in green won their 11th in a row, earning themselves a 7pm showdown with the American Patriots, 10-5 winners over Alonso in the other semifinal, on Saturday night at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

Torres threw his 8th complete game of the season, allowing four runs on nine hits, while striking out 3 and walking none.  Junior Ryan Lozada was 3 for 4 and made a highlight reel catch on a deep drive to right field to quiet a Wolves rally.  Corey Janson (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) connected on his 3rd home run of the season in the Falcons third inning to extend an early 4-0 lead, while Geoff Jimenez (2-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB) delivered a clutch 2-run double, his 12th of the year, in the Falcons 7th inning to make it 8-4.  Meanwhile, Torres (2-2, RBI, BB, HBP) did it with the bat as well, reaching safely in all four of his trips to the plate.  Ricky Santiago (1-4, R, RBI, SB), Mike Melendez (1-4, R, RBI, 2B), and Matt Beauchemin (1-3, RBI, SAC) each drove in key RBI's to pace Flanagan.

The win was especially rewarding for the Falcons, knowing they had a teammate, junior secondbaseman Matt Figueroa, who was unable to make the trip due to an illness.  It won't be easy, but with another win on Saturday night, they'll bring him back a trophy and get him fitted for a championship ring.