Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

After a difficult year of adversity, the Flanagan Falcons are back on top of Florida's Class 6A with a 12-3 defeat over the American Patriots on Saturday night at Digital Domain Park in Port Saint Lucie.

It had remained unspoken during the season, but it was definitely out there:  An uncharacteristically early exit from the 2009 postseason; the tragic passing of friend and teammate Ryan Smith a few weeks later; nagging bumps and bruises across the team to start the 2010 campaign; a late season injury to ace pitcher Justin Machado, facing elimination three times in their final at bat during the district and regional playoffs; and, then, a day before heading out to the 2010 state finals, a serious and sudden illness to junior infielder Matthew Figueroa.  Despite the obstacles, hurdles and challenges, this group of coaches and players remained strong, remained focused and remained driven to capture the ultimate accomplishment in high school baseball, a state championship.

After a hard fought 8-4 semifinal victory the night before against a very talented Timber Creek Wolves ballclub, the Falcons came out on Saturday night in the title game and seemingly took out a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears on the Patriots in the first inning and never looked back.  When the dust settled after their first at bat, the scoreboard read Flanagan 10, American 0 and the only question that remained was not if, but when, the Falcons faithful would start celebrating.  To American's credit, as they had done throughout their postseason run to reach this game, they battled to try and make it respectable, avoiding the run-rule with two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth.  However, in the end, the boys in green had too much offense, too much defense, too much pitching and way too much heart to be denied.

Senior Justin Machado (3 IP, 0 R, H, 2 K, 0 BB) returned to pitch for the first time since April 9th, throwng the first three frames and earning his 8th win, while remaining undefeated in 2010.  Junior Mike Melendez got the hold, striking out 7, allowing only three hits and keeping the Patriots scoreless for the last three innings. 

But on this glorious championship night, it was all about the Falcons offense, who followed up their 14 hit attack in the state semifinal with a 13 hit onslaught, where 8 of 9 starters had at least one hit, and seven starters delivered at least one RBI.  Senior centerfielder Geoff Jimenez led the way, going 4-5 with two runs and two RBI, while senior Pichi Torres (2-5, R, RBI)  and Melendez (2-3, R, RBI, 2 BB) each had multi-hit performances.  The trio ended their 2010 campaigns hitting .438, .457, and .459, repectively, for a Falcons offense that hit an impressive .364 as a team this season.

Collin Martindale (1-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Ricky Santiago (1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), David Gonzalez (1-3, R, 2 RBI, BB) and Ryan Lozada (1-3, R, BB) also contributed with 1 for 3 nights at the plate.

This group of Falcons, led by seven seniors, finished with the highest single season (2010, 25-2, .926) and back to back season ( '09/'10, 47-6, .886) winning percentages in school history, winning their final 12 games, with their only blemishes being 1-0 and 2-0 losses to nationally recognized American Heritage (February 19) and Farragut, TN (April 1).  They walk away accomplishing something never achieved in Florida 6A history by giving the program their third 6A state title in six years.

Thanks to all that supported the Flanagan Falcons baseball program during this amazing run in 2010.  Be sure to follow along when they go for back to back rings in 2011, and outgoing seniors David Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern), Corey Janson (University of Miami), Geoffrey Jimenez (Florida Atlantic University), Justin Machado (South Florida Community College), Collin Martindale (Felician College), Pichi Torres (University of Northwestern Ohio) and Adam Quiles (South Florida Community College) begin the next chapter in their baseball careers.