By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT MYERS – The old cliché that all records are meant to be broken may need a new definition.
Since high school baseball in Florida played its first state championship in 1922, a total of 103 years had passed before Parkland’s Stoneman Douglas High did on Saturday what may seem impossible to break for many years going forward.
The Eagles knew what was at stake as they defeated Jupiter 3-2 on Saturday for the Class 7A state title at Hammond Stadium.
The victory earned Douglas (31-2) a fifth consecutive state championship in Florida, exceeding the previous record of four owned by Archbishop McCarthy (2010-13).
“Unbelievable,” said Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald. “Our pitching was outstanding. Big play after big play by both teams. We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities. Our guys just know how to win. I don’t know what else to say. I couldn’t be happier for them. This will never be done again in high baseball in the state of Florida. No way.”
The numbers proved how the five-year state title run now exists. The Eagles record stands at 144-11 and had outscored opponents 1197-270. By game that averages 7.7 to 1.7.
“This is a different group, loose and very special,” said Fitz-Gerald. “I’m going to miss a lot of these guys. We knew offensively they were very good. But again, it’s just resilience because they are hungry and they’re a bunch of winners. The assistant coaches do a great job getting their guys ready.”
Not since 1972 has any team in the United State won a sixth consecutive state championships since Eunice High, New Mexico. Overall, six high school baseball teams have won six consecutive state championships.
Clinging to one run lead as innings began to shrink, Douglas got a much-needed buffer in the bottom of the fifth inning.
With two outs and Nick Diaz in scoring position at second base, the Eagles got a RBI single to right field deep enough to bring Diaz home for a 3-1 lead.
The important run proved to be huge difference as the Warriors kept battling. Despite three hits in the inning, including a double off the left center wall by Brady Blanks to lead off the inning Jupiter was held to a single run. A single by Ryan Senecal scoring Camden Hart, who was running for Colton Schwarz, to shrink the Eagles lead to one again.
Breylynn Courtney, who came in relief of Douglas starter Daniel Tartaglia after 5 2/3 innings, held his own in the bottom of the seventh inning with three consecutive outs to earn the save.
“I felt comfortable going out there,” said Courtney. “History was about to be written, so why not go out there and do it. We’ve been here before and we are comfortable with the environment. No team may never be able to do this again for a long time.”
Down 1-0 entering the bottom of the second inning, Douglas got a huge hit by Jake Rizzo, a two-run single to left field to score Erick Torres and Lorenzo Laurel for a 2-1 lead.
“It’s hard not getting emotional talking about it,” said Rizzo. “I told the guys lets go make history. It’s not about legacy, but about the bond we have. All practices, the sweat and playing together made a difference.”
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