Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

Eric Cruz enters his 8^th season with Ray Evans at Flanagan High School. The 13 year veteran is the Falcons infielders coach and he has groomed some of the best infield talents in Broward County as well as in the State over the past 7 years. Players such as 3^rd basemen David Maristany, (Union University - 2004), and Eric Trillas, (FIT – 2005), Shortstops Luis Peñate, (NSU - 2007), and Rolando Gomez, (Aneheim Angels - 2008), 2^nd basemen Eric McCans, (NSU - 2006) and Alejandro Sanchez, (Bethune Cookman - 2008), and 1^st Baseman Mitch Massard, (Ball State - 2007) have all done well for themselves thanks to his tutelage. Coach Cruz’s greatest contribution comes from his involvement in the college recruiting process for college bound players. He has helped countless seniors throughout Broward and Dade Counties fulfill their collegiate baseball dreams. He has been instrumental in getting 40 of 46 Flanagan graduates into college baseball programs since joining the Falcons in 2004. Coach Cruz graduated from Florida International University in 1991 with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies. He was a 1^ST Team All-Conference Selection as a Senior playing 2B and shortstop for the Sunblazers (Golden Panthers). In 1991 he broke the Division IA National record for walks in a season a record which still stands today. As a Junior he led the team in stolen bases with 53 which was good for 7^th in the Nation earning him team MVP honors. He finished with a .340 career batting average. Coach Cruz began his collegiate career at Valencia College in Orlando where he played for 2 seasons as the starting shortstop. He batted .360 with 48 stolen bases as a sophomore. He was named team MVP and earned 1^st Team All-Mid Florida Conference Honors. Eric graduated from South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida in 1986. He played 4 years as a Varsity starter at shortstop compiling a .350 career batting average. He was an All-Dade Honorable Mention his Junior and Senior years. Coach Cruz and his wife Marie who is an Elementary school teacher live in Pembroke Pines. He is employed by the Broward County Public School system as Flanagan High School’s BRACE advisor.