6A-16 Playoff Preview: Fans Have Plenty To Roar About
6A-16
Host: Belen Jesuit High School
Monday, April 22nd
3:30 – Game 1 – (4) Westland Hialeah vs. (1) Mater Academy
Tuesday, April 23rd
3:30 – Game 2 – (3) Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. (2) Belen Jesuit
Wednesday, April 24th
Rain Date
Thursday, April 25th
3:30 – Championship – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Full stats for 6A-16 can be found on the 6A-16 Stats Page!
Overview – Just earning a spot into the district 6A-16 playoffs is a feat among itself, where only the top four teams from the district advance.
For the second straight season Mater Academy enters the bracket as the top-seed and favorite to win the district trophy.
But if everything always went the way it is expected, then the Lions would have won the trophy last season rather than falling in the opening round to Hialeah-Miami Lakes and missing the postseason.
It’s just that kind of a grind in this tough district.
The lower seeds in the district face a tough road, as both Mater and second seed Belen Jesuit have squads capable of deep postseason runs.
An upset is never out of the question, something that was proven just last season.
As has been the case all year in 6A-16, this week at Belen Jesuit there will be some very exciting games played.
Kevin Abraham is one of many sluggers for the Lions.
1. Mater Academy – One can only wonder how many poor, defenseless baseballs the Lions have destroyed this season.
After being shocked in the 6A-16 semifinals last year, Mater has been on a mission this season not to overlook a single opponent.
Players do not waste games, innings, plays or pitches. The team as a unit has been relentless and tireless in its efforts to take care of business every day.
The results have spoken for themselves, a 14-0 start and also a perfect 14-0 district record to secure the top seed.
When the team has a bat in their hands they have hit over .400 this year, scoring over 200 runs to average nearly ten runs per game. The lineup is as deep as the 1927 New York Yankees, starting with Willie Abreu, Mike Mediavilla, JC Escarra, Danny Reyes, Angel Ortiz and Kevin Abraham.
The team’s nine-hole hitter and half the bench would likely hit cleanup on most other teams.
Left-handed ace Mike Mediavilla has been every bit as good as advertised, more than capable of carrying a team in the postseason. When he pitches the team just does not lose, as he is 6-0 in nine starts.
Complimenting this ace is sophomore right-hander Andrew Cabezas, who has been equally unhittable in posting a perfect 7-0 record.
With two standout starters and a deep bullpen behind it, it is no question why the team enters the tournament as the favorite to finally hoist that coveted trophy.
William Fabra has been for the Wolverines both at the plate as well as on the mound this season.
2. Belen Jesuit – Danny Parets is probably itching for another chance to throw against the top-seeded Lions.
Just recently the right-hander had battled in an epic 12-inning marathon against Mater ace Mike Mediavilla. But Parets and the Wolverines came out on the wrong end of that contest, as the Lions walked-off 1-0 in the bottom of the 12th.
But to get that rematch, the team first must take care of business against Hialeah-Miami Lakes. The Wolverines have proven up to this task, having won five straight since the start of last season, including the 6A-16 district championship last year.
Pitching has been the strength of the club, as Parets combines with senior righty William Fabra to provide a one-two tandem that is capable of winning twice in a short week.
Robert Morgado has been the prototypical closer in earning three saves and sporting a 2-0 record in 11 relief appearances. The team also has the benefit of David Villa, who can either start or come out in long relief for the club.
At the plate the squad has slugged the tar out of the ball, slugging over .450 for the season. This group is led by Alec Acosta, who leads the club in extra-base hits, as well as most team hitting categories.
But up and down the lineup around Acosta are capable, dangerous hitters such as Alex Cabrera, Ryan Rodriguez-Mena, David Guevara, Alex Lorenzo and Christian del Castillo.
A win over the Trojans and Belen will be back in the regional playoffs again this year, where the road to the Class 6A state tournament typically runs through three-time defending state champion Archbishop McCarthy.
But the Wolverines are not looking that far ahead. The teams right there in their district tournament are tough enough.
Bryan Sanchez has been the ace for the Trojans.
3. Hialeah-Miami Lakes – Can they do it again?
That is the question for the underdog Trojans as they head into their district semifinal against Belen Jesuit.
Last year HML scored an upset-victory over top dog Mater Academy to advance into the district championship and regional playoffs. To make it back to the playoffs they will need to repeat that feat against a very tough opponent, one which has held the upper hand in the recent series.
Right-hander Bryan Sanchez has been the ace on the mound, stepping up in the team’s biggest games. Meanwhile lefty Brandon Moriffy has provided excellent counter-balance to give the team the two arms it needs to win in the district playoffs.
HML has not struggled to score runs either this season, averaging more than five runs per game. Enrique Cardenas and Joshua Vizcaino have been the primary setup men at the top of the lineup, opening the door for guys like Mateo Cuecha and Jose Mora to drive them in.
Last year the team had but one senior on the roster, and essentially the entire group that enjoyed that success returns to take another crack at writing a new chapter in their storied history.
Catcher Juan Corrales has led the Westland offense.
4. Westland Hialeah – The Wildcats earned the right to play in the district playoffs for the second season in a row, where again they enter as the underdog in their contest.
Westland Hialeah has played its district tough this year, particularly against the top two teams in Mater Academy and Belen Jesuit. But playing close in a loss will not extend their season, and now is the time for the team to play its best baseball of the year.
Senior catcher Luis Corrales is the leader on the team, and the captain has proven up to the task in big games, such as when he hit two home runs against Belen Jesuit earlier in the year.
Corrales has hit close to .500 for the season, as has teammate Antonio Rodriguez.
The team has struggled to score runs this season even despite the power from the middle of the lineup.
On the mound the team recorded two shutouts this season, and although the pitching staff is still young and is still working for consistency the most encouraging signs have come in how close they have played in all of their district contests.
The fifth-year program has continued to make strides as it also makes a name for itself in the competitive Miami-Dade baseball scene. A win or two this week will go a long way towards that goal.
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