Vote: Who should be the South Florida baseball Player of the Week (3/4/2024)?
Tournaments highlighted the South Florida baseball season last week, with many of the local schools participating in various events.
The BCAA (Broward County Athletic Association) Baseball Championship Tournament was the main event with schools participating in three tiers. Our congratulations to Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Tier 1), Cardinal Gibbons (Tier 2) and South Broward (Tier 3) for winning their respective brackets.
On a more national scale, North Broward Prep participated in the Perfect Game tournament in Hoover, Alabama, and came away with a championship in the White Bracket.
These are a sampling of games that were played in a busy week of action.
Now it’s time to single out the top performers in our SBLive Sports South Florida Baseball Player of the Week poll.
Reminder, our polls are intended to be fun, while providing recognition for players and schools. You may vote as often as you want, and please, help us spread the word!
Congratulations to last week's winner: Manuel Sarcos of West Broward.
Here are this week's nominees:
Brayden Allison, LHP, Flanagan: Talk about a night to remember. Allision struck out 18 in a one-hit shutout against Coral Springs.
Tanner Avino, 1B, Pembroke Pines Charter: Avino made his mark in the BCAA tournament, driving in three runs against Coral Springs. In a 7-5 loss to Cardinal Gibbons in the Tier 2 title game, Avino connected on a three-run homer.
Alec Cruz, OF, Columbus: The Explorers rolled past West Boca Raton, 13-0, with Cruz delivering a double and three RBIs.
Michael Kass, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons: Named the Tier 2 MVP in the BCAA tournament, Kass struck out seven in five scoreless innings in a semifinal win over Flanagan.
Nate Hernandez, RHP, North Broward Prep: The Eagles won the championship in the White Bracket of the Perfect Game Tournament in Alabama. Hernandez was credited with the win in the title game, tossing four shutout innings in a 7-1 win against Lewisburg (Mississippi).
Angel Lozada, RHP, Southwest Miami: In an 8-1 upset of state-ranked Westminster Christian, Lozada tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
Christian MacGillavary, SS, NSU University: The Sharks stunned Archbishop McCarthy, 13-2, on the road, and MacGillavary delivered three hits, including two doubles and two RBIs.
Ryan Pagan, OF, Cooper City: The Cowboys lost a tough one, 10-9, to Western in the BCAA tournament. But in the setback, Pagan had three hits and two RBIs.
J.P. Querales, RHP, West Broward: The right-hander was in command, holding down St. Thomas Aquinas in an 8-1 win. Querales allowed one run in five innings.
Hector Roca, C/1B, Doral Academy: The Firebirds are rolling, and Roca did his part, belting a home run and driving in four against Sports Leadership Management.
Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas: Just a sophomore, Rojas was one out away from tossing a perfect game against Taravella. The lefty settled for a one-hit shutout, striking out 18.
Mikey Palenzuela, OF, Miami Christian: A Florida International University recruit, Palenzuela had a double and three RBIs in a 6-5 win over Braddock.
Shaun Shapiro, LHP, South Broward: The Bulldogs edged McArthur, 8-7, in the Tier 3 BCAA Tournament finals. The lefty allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five.
Colin Cartagena, RHP, Westminster Academy: The right-hander, who is a University of North Florida commit, gave up one run with seven strikeouts in six innings against Archbishop Carroll.
Sean Duffin, INF, Monsignor Pace: Duffin had a home run and three RBIs in a win over Sagemont.
Preston Bielec, INF, Calvary Christian Academy: After falling behind by five runs, the Eagles rallied to an 8-7 walk-off win over Sagemont. Bielec had three hits, including a double and RBI.
Niko Benestad, 1B, Majory Stoneman Douglas: Benestad belted a pair of home runs in the Tier 1 championship game of BCAA Tournament and was named MVP after leading Douglas to the title.
