After a successful week of tryouts, we are proud to announce the 2012 Maverick Baseball Rosters ans schedules. Please note the following:

- Varsity team members should report to field at 3:00PM on Monday for practice.

- JV and Freshman team members should report on Tuesday at 2:45 and know their student ID# and baseball spike’s size.

- All team members and their parents should attend Parent & Player team “Welcome Dinner” at 6:30PM Tuesday evening in the Student Center

Please view team rosters and schedules below

2012 Varsity: Roster | Schedule

2012 Junior Varsity: Roster | Schedule

2012 Freshman Team: Roster | Schedule

Maverick Players of the 2011 squad showing off their National Championship Rings.

The newly-crowned national champion Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks baseball team celebrated and received their rings at Tuesday’s “Dinner-on-the-Diamond” at AMHS. The event was a sell-out event with over 250 Maverick family members and fans in attendance and the ceremonies were co-hosted by “The Voice of the Mavericks” Carlos Guzman and Head Coach Richard Bielski.

It was the second consecutive year that the Mavericks hosted a “Dinner-on-the-Diamond”, which has now become a new tradition at Archbishop McCarthy to celebrate championships.

USA Today HS Baseball Coach of the Year for 2011 Bielski addressed the huge and rare accomplishments of this team, and was quoted as saying, “To be a champion, you must work like a champion.  This 2011 team succeeded both on and off the baseball diamond. The Maverick players understood that their success stems from their hard work and determination.  Like any great program, Maverick Baseball stresses the importance of leadership, respect, togetherness, and the will to ‘never quit’ and ‘always finish strong.’  Strong academics and proper conduct are a must to play on this team and the players understand that at Archbishop McCarthy, school comes first.”

This National Championship team included 9 seniors, all of whom were leaders, played and starred all 4 years of their baseball career at Archbishop McCarthy High School. The developmental process led by the Maverick coaches has been a key part of the rise of the team.

Since the end of the season in May, Alexander Fernandez (San Diego Padres) and Jose Brizuela (Cinncinnati Reds) were selected in the June Major League baseball amateur draft.  Both have decided to go to college and pursue their degrees while playing college baseball, Fernandez to Miami and Brizuela to Florida State. The other seven seniors are also attending college as well, Chris Thompson, Eric White and Ivan Santos at Florida Gulf Coast, Christopher Guzman at Florida International, Garrett Kennedy also at Miami, Steve Martin at Broward College and Danny Muniz at Miami-Dade College.

There are also a number of returning varsity Players in the 2012 senior class who have committed to college baseball scholarships and signed letters of intent:  Andre Martinez to Florida State, Adam Duarte to St. Thomas University, Nick Travieso to Miami, Jason Morozowski and Nick Basto to Florida International and Ryan Castellanos to Illinois.

Bielski concluded, “Although their personal achievements were remarkable and commended, our Maverick baseball players’ main goal was to succeed as a team and succeed as a team they did, capturing yet another state championship title, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.  They say that there is only one thing harder than winning a championship and that is defending one.”

The Mavericks did just that in the greatest final game imaginable defeating another national powerhouse team  while facing the top-ranked 2012 player in the country in Lance McCullers dashing Tampa Jesuit’s state title hopes for the second straight year.

By: Anthony Uttariello of browardhighschoolbaseball.com

The Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks just completed their second consecutive season that ended in a pile At Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie. To get to that pile at the end of the state final four, Archbishop needed a big moment in the championship game, and that was provided off the bat of senior Alexander Fernandez.

The three run blast off Fernandez’ bat was just the latest in the long list of heroic performances this season. With a dominating presence on the mound, and a batting average that hovered near .500, Fernandez has now been named the BHSB District 15-4A Player of the Year.

On the year, Fernandez hit .470 and drove in forty-nine runs. The senior pitcher/second baseman added forty-six runs, and stole thirteen bases in fifteen attempts. On the mound, Fernandez went 11-0, with a 2.39 ERA. Perhaps the most impressive stat was the zero home runs the Mavericks pitcher game up, while pitching against some of the best competition in the state.

“He was our ‘Superman’,” said Archbishop Head Coach Rich Bielski. “He led the team in RBIs and did everything we asked of him. He was a great leader and always came up with the big hit. On the mound he gave us everything he had, a truly special member of our family.”

Fernandez is joined on the All-District team as a pitcher by two southpaws. Teammate Andre Martinez, with his 12-2 record and 1.50 ERA made the team. Martinez had ninety-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. Junior Thomas Woodrey of Cardinal Gibbons was one of the more highly touted pitchers in the county this season, and the attention was warranted. Despite pitching against some of the top teams in the state, Woodrey still managed a 3.15 ERA and fifty-two strikeouts. Woodrey also contributed offensively, hitting .464 for the Chiefs.

In a district loaded with talent, two other players made a strong run for Player of the year honors. Pembroke Pines Charter catcher Aramis Garcia hit .565, with seven home runs and twenty-four RBIs. Garcia also added thirteen doubles. Mavericks third baseman/closer Jose Brizuela offered up the most gaudy offensive numbers in the district, hitting .470, with sixteen doubles, twenty-four stolen bases, forty-one RBIs, and seven home runs.

Nick Travieso and Nick Basto, both fresh off their state title with Archbishop, are the first baseman and shortstop, respectively, on the District 15-4A squad. Travieso hit twelve extra base hits, while Basto added a .367 batting average and ten stolen bases.

The outfield is comprised of two Gibbons players and Christian Shields from Fort Lauderdale. For the Chiefs, Jack Crittenberger had a .623 on-base percentage, thanks to twenty-six walks. Crittenberger also had eleven stolen bases. Ryan Whaley hit .377, with six home runs, twenty-two RBIs, and ten stolen bases.

Players from three different teams filled out the utility spots. Ivan Santos from Archbishop hit .441 and drove in thirty-three runs. Kris Chatman of Fort Lauderdale scored twenty-six runs and stole twelve bases, and Pembroke Pines Charter’s Kevin Daly hit .471, while swiping thirteen bags as the Jaguars lead-off hitter.

Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks after their win over Nationally Ranked Tampa Jesuit, in the Class 4A State Championship Game.

Senior Alexander Fernandez belted a 95-mph fastball off of Tampa Jesuit ace pitcher Junior Lance McCullers for the game-winning three-run home run and got relief help from Junior Nick Travieso and Senior Jose Brizuela, as Archbishop McCarthy(#1 USA Today) defeated Tampa Jesuit (#12 USA Today) by the score of 4-1 in the Florida 4A State Championship game.

The Mavericks (29-3) won their 10th straight game, and 19th of their last 20 including 7 consecutive victories in the post-season. The win marked the second straight year that McCarthy topped Jesuit (27-7) in the Florida Class 4A final at Digital Domain Park, spring training home of the New York Mets, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Archbishop McCarthy is now only the fourth school from Broward County to ever claim back-to-back state titles, joining storied programs Nova, Westminster Academy, and Flanagan on the exclusive list of championships in successive years.

With the historic triumph, Archbishop McCarthy hopes to retain its #1 ranking in the USA Today High School Baseball Super 25 due out June 2nd and improve upon its #3 Baseball America, #3 NHSBCA, #4 ESPN RISE and #9 MaxPreps XCellent 25 (#1 in Florida) rankings. McCarthy compiled a 29-3 overall record against one of the toughest regular season and post season schedules in the country.

University of Miami-bound Fernandez (.470, 4HR, 49RBI) put an exclamation point on his senior season with the momentous home run in the final. Fernandez also finished 10-0 as a starting pitcher. Florida State University-bound Brizuela (.477, 53H, 7HR, 49R, 24SB) powered the Mavericks to the state final game with a dramatic three-run, sixth inning home run in the state semi-final game against Wakulla. Brizuela, the Maverick closer (1-0, 1.58ERA, 5 saves, 37K in 17.2IP), used his 92-mph fastball and sharp curveball to record saves in the regional final, the state semifinal, and the state final games.

Seniors Garrett Kennedy (University of Miami) and Chris Thompson (Florida Gulf Coast University) are also signees at division 1 college baseball programs. Senior Ivan Santos (.441, 8-3B, 3HR, 33RBI) was a clutch performer throughout the Mavericks run. Travieso (1-1, 1.94 ERA, 30K in 18IP) was clocked at 95-mph in the championship game. He and fellow junior Nick Basto (a Team USA 16U finalist) have been selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago in August 2011.

The trend of top-level talent and performances is now an annual trend at McCarthy: in 2010, Nick Castellanos was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round with the 44th selection of the Major League Amateur Draft.

Archbishop McCarthy is led by Head Coach Richard Bielski, whose resume now includes a rare second back-to-back championship with the same high school: Bielski led Hialeah High to Florida 6A state titles in 2001 and 2002 and now McCarthy in 2010 and 2011. In his last 5 years as a Head Coach, Bielski has lead his teams to state 5 times and brought home 4 State Championships. With the 2011 State Championship win, Bielski won his 300th game as Head Coach driving his career record to 300-99. Bielski won Florida Dairy Farmers and Diamond Baseball Coach of the Year in 2010, and Sun Sentinel Coach of the Year in successive years in 2010 and 2011.

Bielski’s impressive assistant coaching staff includes former major leaguers Alex Fernandez and Nelson Santovenia, pitching coach expert Ric Butner and bench coach Eugenio “Cookie” Abay. Fernandez, who also serves as Director of Baseball Operations at Archbishop McCarthy, prepared the Mavericks for their repeat title run by creating arguably the toughest game schedule of any team in Florida. The 29 wins shattered last year’s record for most wins in a season in school history.

Archbishop McCarthy’s pitching dominance this season carried the team throughout its championship run. Junior ace lefty Andre Martinez(12-2, 1.50ERA, 96K in 54IP) was the leader of the staff. In the Florida Regionals and State playoffs, the Mavericks surrendered only 3 earned runs as a staff in the final 5 games. Overall, Maverick pitchers posted a team ERA of 2.08, striking out 271 batters in 197 innings.

For more information about Archbishop McCarthy Baseball, please visit www.maverickbaseball.net or contact Alex Fernandez or Carlos Guzman at cguzmania@hotmail.com or by phone at 305-479-9364.

By: Anthony Uttariello of browardhighschoolbaseball.com

Alexander Fernandez belts three run home run in 3rd to put Mavericks up 3-0

Coming into the state final game against Tampa Jesuit, Archbishop figured this game might be decided with a single run. Jesuit had their ace Lance McCullers on the mound and he was throwing in the nineties with nasty offspeed action early on.

The Mavericks had one of their aces on the mound as well in Alexander Fernandez, and on the mound, he was in control.

Fernandez, however, helped his team with the bat, as he blasted a 2-1 pitch from McCullers over the left field wall in the third inning, giving Archbishop all they would ultimately need to win their second consecutive 4A State Championship 4-1.

After watching Archbishop in the state tournament, it can be deduced that this is not a team that never make mistakes, rather, they are a team that knows how to overcome them. They are a team that may fall behind, but they know how to make things happen and battle back. They are a team that appears focused, energized, and under control in times of trouble, and also in times of jubilation.

It is also helps that they do not have one ‘superman,’ as Coach Bielski put it after the game, they have many (Jose Brizeula was the team’s superman in the semi-final game.)

They are team, and their players even go so far as to say they are a family – and on Wednesday night there were several heroic feats that ultimately led their team to their second consecutive 4A State Championship.

“We are so proud of our boys,” said Archbishop Head Coach Rich Bielski. “That team we beat today was an excellent team, and they put up an incredible fight like we knew they would… these boys here all stepped up on a big stage and with the spotlight on… It makes me proud, not only as a coach, but as a father, because we have a family here at Archbishop. Coach Fernandez instilled that in our program, and that’s what makes us special.”

The first inning started out just as many fans had predicted, with neither Tampa Jesuit ace pitcher Lance McCullers, or Archbishop starter Alexander Fernandez, giving up much. Archbishop went down 1-2-3 against MCullers in the first, with two strikeouts. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers managed a hit, but it led to no runs. The pitcher’s duel for the 4A title was on.

In the second, the Mavericks had their first batter reach base when Chris Thompson drew a two-out walk. The center fielder then promptly stole second, and ended up at third when the Jesuit catcher’s throw sailed into center. Thompson was stranded at third, however, when MCullers struck out the next batter looking.

The Eagles also threatened in their half of the second. Adrian Chacon drew a walk, but was eliminated at third when he attempted to advance from first on a Conor O’Brien single to right. It was the second straight game the Mavericks’ right fielder Adam Duarte has had an assist – and it once again stopped their opponent’s momentum.

With the pitchers controlling the day, everyone knew it was going to take something special to break the scoreless tie. In the top of the third, Adam Duarte, as he has done so often during this playoff run, sparked Archbishop when he singled sharply to left-center with one out – the first hit of the game for the Mavericks. After a Mavericks strikeout, Santos stole second and Nick Basto walked, setting the stage for Alex Fernandez.

After working his count to 2-1, Fernandez launched a drive over the left field wall, and the dugout, and the fans, went crazy. The jack gave McCarthy a 3-0 lead on just two hits.

“When I went up to the plate, I didn’t try to hit a home run, all I was trying to do was make contact and hit the ball up the middle,” said Fernandez, of his approach heading into what will now become a historic at-bat. “It was a 2-1 count, and he made a mistake, and I just did my job and hit the ball hard.”

Being a state runner-up last year to Archbishop, the Tigers were not about to go quietly. In their half of the fourth, McCullers drew a lead-off walk. He then moved to second and third on consecutive wild pitches, and scored when Pete Alonso singled just past the glove of Basto at short. With score 3-1, Schultz singled, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The single also ended the day on the mound for Fernandez.

Nick Travieso relieved Fernandez and shut down Tampa Jesuit in the fourth.

Nick Travieso was called upon to work out of the jam. The junior got Max Beerman to ground out to first, then proceeded to strike out Chacon. After getting two strikes on O’Brien, Travieso uncorked a wild pitch, but catcher Garret Kennedy hustled to the backstop and threw a strike to a charging Travieso who tagged out Alonso at the plate to end the inning.

“I thrive off of those situations,” Travieso said of his ability to come in and work out of the jam. “With runners on and a tight game, I love coming in and closing the door.”

When asked about the play at the plate to end the inning, Travieso responded. “It was just a reaction, pretty much. I slid like I was sliding into home, and I just caught the ball and tagged him out. I just had to run to the plate and hope for the best.”

The Mavericks answered Jesuit’s run in the fourth with one of their own in the fifth. Duarte, who has terrorized opponent’s catchers, stole second after he walked to get on first. An infield hit by Brizuela moved Duarte to third, and a Basto ground out extended the lead to 4-1. Duarte finished the game1-for-1, with two walks, three stolen bases, and two runs. He also threw out a runner each in the state semi-final and final game.

“I came into the tournament thinking ‘I want to help the team, and not be selfish. Just get on base however I can. If I have to walk, I’ll walk. If I get a hit, that’s fine, but if not, just try and make something happen,’” said Duarte. “I did what I wanted to do, and I love my team, and couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Proud Archbishop coaches pose with the Class 4A State Championship trophy.

Travieso kept the Tigers bats off balance during his 3.1 innings. In fact, the Mavericks pitcher did not give up any hits while on the mound. In the seventh, Travieso ran into a little jam when he hit Chacon and pinch-hitter Austin Jurado reached on an error. Bielski then called on closer Brizuela to shut the door, which the senior did with ease, striking out the final two Tigers to end the game and give McCarthy their back-to-back state titles.

“That last pitch, I wanted to strike him out,” said Brizuela. “I wanted to know what it felt like to get that last out and for everyone to come and just tackle me. It’s honestly the best feeling ever, especially when you’re with your brothers.”

The family atmosphere clearly rubbed off from the coaching staff down to the players, and now Bielski and his squad can look forward to a probable national championship. The team was ranked number one in the country coming in, and did nothing but strengthen their claim for the national title.

“It’s something we’re very happy to be a part of,” said Bielski, of the potential national championship. “It’s beyond dreaming. I didn’t even dream this good. And I dream pretty good.”

Mavericks pile-up celebration after a 4-1 victory in the Class 4A State Chapionship Game.

Martinez went 6 innings allowing 0 earned runs, and collecting 7 strikeouts in the semifinal win

“Breezy took off his jersey, put on his Superman cape, and said ‘boys, we’re going to the championship game.’” That is how Archbishop McCarthy Head Coach Rich Bielski described the surreal moment that senior Jose Brizuela provided Monday night in Archbishop’s 4-2 win over Wakulla in the 4A state semi-final game.

The day started early for Brizuela and his senior teammates. The Mavericks were slated to play in the state 4A semi-final at night, but before that game in Port St. Lucie, the seniors attended graduation back in South Florida. Then there was the two hour bus ride.

“I had popped up two times, and I knew my coaches wanted me to come clutch, and I knew my teammates wanted me to come clutch,” said a jubilant Brizuela after the game. “I told them I was going to lead them to the port, and that’s what I did. Now we have one game left, and we’re gonna go get ‘em.”

But early in the game, the Mavericks appeared to be having trouble adjusting to their long day.

In the top of the first Mavericks starting pitcher Andre Martinez worked into an early jam. Ryan Zimba started the inning off with an infield single. After a wild pitch moved Zimba to second, Casey Eddinger walked. Conner Smith then worked the count full before hitting a momentum changing double play to third, where Brizuela tagged out Zimba and threw to second to force out Eddinger. Martinez then got Dalton Dugger to fly out to center to end the inning.

Tense pulsating game in semifinals, but Mavericks prevail.

Archbishop then mounted a threat in their half of the first when Brizuela led off the second with a fly ball that was lost in the twilight by War Eagles outfielders. The hit went for a triple. After a Nick Basto pop out, and a Alexander Fernandez walk, Nick Travieso grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, ending the Mavericks threat.

The game stayed scoreless until the bottom of the third. With two outs and nobody on, Basto hit a flair into left that fell in for a hit after Brandon Crisp’s diving attempt came up short. Fernandez then followed with a long drive into left-center that drove in Basto. Fernandez was stranded at third, but his triple gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead after three.

In the fourth, the War Eagles again threatened. Dugger reached on an error, and Tylor Hudson executed a perfect push bunt, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The inning then got worse for the Mavericks when Jordan Montague laid down the second consecutive bunt of the inning, and when the ball was thrown down the left field line, Wakulla had tied the score at one.

Brizuela three run homer in 6th leads Maverick come-from-behind win in semi-final

With things looking bleak, right fielder Adam Duarte and catcher Garrett Kennedy combined on the play of the game. Dillon Norman lifted a fly ball to right that Duarte caught. The junior then threw a perfect strike to Kennedy at home, who held on to the ball despite being barreled by Hudson. Archbishop did not escape completely unscathed, as Jeff Barnes drove a single up the middle to give Wakulla the lead 2-1 in the middle of the third.

“When the ball was hit, I was relaxed, I just wanted to catch the ball and make a strong, accurate throw,” said Duarte of the play that Bielski called “game-changing.”

The Mavericks immediately tried to answer in their half of the third. A one-out double by center-fielder Chris Thompson was followed by a walk to Kennedy. After a fly out, Duarte hit a bunt single to load the bases. The rally ended, however, when Brizuela hit a ground ball to second.

In the fifth, Martinez settled down on the mound, and Archbishop quickly went back to work at the plate. For Martinez, he finished the game with six innings pitched, giving up only one earned run and striking out seven.

“I tried to give my team the best chance to win,” said Martinez, the winning pitcher in the regional final against EuGallie, and now the state semi-final winner. “My coaches came out and told me before the fifth, we have nine outs, and we need to hold them where they’re at (two runs). I just relied on my stuff that I trusted the most, and I’m really proud of my team for backing me up.”

The bottom of the fifth produced two walks and a wild pitch, putting runners on second and third, but again the Mavericks left their sixth and seventh runners of the game on base when Thompson flew out to left. With only six outs remaining in their season, the squad from Southwest Ranches had to dig deep.

Enter Brizuela. One out walks by Roberts and Duarte brought to the plate the Mavericks lead-off hitter. With a 2-0 count, Brizuela launched a three run blast to right to give Archbishop the lead that had eluded them all game long.

From there, Brizuela carried that momentum to the mound in the seventh, where he struck out the side and sent Archbishop to their second consecutive state final, where they will meet the same team they defeated last year, Tampa Jesuit. To date, only two Broward teams, Nova and Westminster Academy, have ever repeated as state champions, Archbishop is hoping to become the third.

It is no secret who will get the ball for the Mavericks today, as they have rode the one-two punch of Martinez and Fernandez all season long. Fernandez knows what it is going to take to capture the state title.

“It’s going to be a really hard fought game,” said Fernandez. “We’re going to have to play our best, play hard. We’ve got to be hungry and play our hearts out.”