Charles W. Flanagan High School Baseball

Falcons NIKE/OTS Challenge is Loaded with Top Teams from Dade and Broward Counties

The Defending Class 6A State Champions and Reigning National Champions; Flanagan Falcons will host the 3rd Annual Falcons Challenge sponsored by Nike and Orlando Team Sports. This years schedule should prove to be one of the toughest to date.

The Falcons have invited 2 of the top teams in Dade County with return participant Monsignor Pace and 1st timer Christopher Columbus High who boasts the top left hander in Dade County Andy Suarez. From Broward; National power and 2010 Falcons Challenge Champion (Plantation) American Heritage with 2010 Small Schools Player of the Year Brandon Sedell returns along with Class 5A State Semifinalist St. Thomas Aquinas. Newcomer Calvary Christian Academy joins the Tournament with top prospect Taylor Gushue leading the Eagles.

Key games: Monday Feb. 14 Flanagan begins their 6A Title defense against 5A State Power St. Thomas Aquinas at 7:00pm; Tuesday Feb. 15 Two of the top Pitchers in the State should square off as Jimmy Nesselt and American Heritage will face Andy Suarez and the Columbus Explorers at 7:00pm. 

Come join us for the 4th Falcon Baseball Poker Tournament.

J.P. Mulligans will, once again, host the festivities.    

Poker Flyer is attached. E-mail us if you want to join, falconsbaseballboosterclub@hotmail.com ,or sign up on-line. Registration can be paid by credit card. Click on "Donate Online", and put Poker in the memo line.

Big 3rd Inning Leads to Win Over Doral 

The Falcons used a 9 run 3rd inning to rally past Doral Academy 9-5 in the final game of the Falcons Preseason Classic.

After falling behind 4-0 through 2 innings, Flanagan got on the board when So. catcher Zack Collins singled up the middle with the bases loaded scoring Sr.-SS Ricky Santiago. Santiago would later hit an RBI single of his own to extend the lead to 8-4 after the Falcons would score 6 runs on 4 Doral errors.

Santiago went 2 for 4 on the night with an RBI and 2 runs scored, Sr.-1B Mike Melendez was 1 for 2 with a walk, HBP and 1 run scored and Collins went 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 RBI.

Flanagan starter Sr.-RHP Matt Beauchemin got the win going 4 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 3 BB's and 3 K's. Jr.-LHP Mike Emigh made his Falcons debut pitching the final 3 innings allowing just 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 2 batters.

The Falcons will get the regular season underway on Monday Feb. 14th when they host St. Thomas Aquinas (2010 Class 5A State Semifinalist) in game #2 of the Falcons NIKE/OTS Challenge. Game time is set for 7:00pm.

Full Tournament Schedule is posted on the Falcons Challenge tab on the top of this website.

Falcons Late Rally Falls Short 

The 2011 season is underway and the defending National Champions fell behind early to Palm Beach County's-Park Vista High on their way to a 10-7 loss. The preseason game was a re-match of the 2008 Regional Finals which the Cobras won. Flanagan and Park Vista are 2 of the 3 (Cypress Bay) teams to represent Region 3 at the State Tournament since 2004.

The Cobras jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the 1st inning and then broke the game open in the 3rd scoring 7 runs (6 unearned) to take a 10-1 lead. After Mike Melendez got the 1st 2 batters out in the top of the 3rd inning, Park Vista catcher Robbie Coman launched a solo HR to CF extending the lead to 4-1. After a fielding error allowed the Cobras to continue the inning left fielder Nick Jones blasted a 3 run HR to CF. Park Vista would go on to score 3 more runs capped by a 2 run triple by SS Trea Turner all but ending the night for Melendez on the mound.

The Falcons were led by SS Ricky Santiago who went 3 for 4 and was a HR shy of hitting for the cycle. The Falcons made a late bid for a come back scoring 2 runs in the 6th inning on a 2 run double from DH Matt Beauchemin. In the 7th inning trailing 10-3 Flanagan scored 4 runs on an RBI single from 2B Matt Figueroa and a 2 run triple from 1B Zack Collins. After an RBI single from RF Danny Zardon and a single from 3B Andres Sanchez the Falcons would bring the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately the Falcons would not get any closer as a fielders choice and then a ground out to 3B would end the threat and the game.

Melendez would take the loss allowing 9 runs (7 unearned) on 7 hits through 2 2/3 innings. He struck out 3 without allowing a walk. JR-righthander Jose Mesa came on in relief and was spectacular in his Varsity debut. Mesa pitched the final 4 1/3 innings allowing just 1 run on 3 hits striking out 3 batters and no walks. Giving Flanagan the opportunity for a come back.

The Falcons conclude their preseason schedule on Thursday Feb. 10th when they face Doral Academy from Miami. Game time is set for 6:30pm.    

3 Seniors Sign Letters of Intent 

Congratulations go out to 3 Falcons Seniors who signed their National Letter of Intent during the early signing period yesterday morning in the Principals Conference Room at Flanagan High School.

SS Ricky Santiago signed with Division 1 Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.

1B/LHP Mike Melendez signed with Division II Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL.

RHP/DH Matthew Beauchemin signed with Division II St. Andrews in North Carolina.