Killian Tops South Dade To Repeat As District Champions

Back-to-back district champions, that’s what the Killian Cougars attempted Thursday afternoon at Felix Varela field as Killian and the South Dade Buccaneers faced off for the 8A-16 District Title.

The Buccaneers had won the first two meetings during the regular season. But it was the Cougars that edged out the Bucs in a 5-1 win.

Both teams advance to regionals, and await the winner between Miami Sunset and Southwest. That game is Friday night.

“A chance to win a district championship is truly an honor in our district,” said Killian Manager Angel Herrera. “We’re really humble to win this because our district is tough, there’s so many good teams with great coaches. To come out on top back-to back is really mind boggling.”

Killian relied on sophomore Ryan Granda to start on the mound. Granda pitched four innings, recorded four strikeouts, and allowed just two hits.

“I just tried to keep the ball down, hit my spots, and let the defense take care of the rest,” said Granda. “My change-up was working for me, and every game we get more and more experience.”

The Buccaneers started their ace and one of the top pitchers in the county in Erik Manoah, and the pitching duel was on as neither team gave up a run through the third.

Manoah continued to shut down the Cougars in the fourth inning, throwing his sixth strikeout and forcing a groundout for two quick outs.

But the Cougars continued to battle. William Ortiz was walked, and Ryan Sabbag’s single sent Ortiz to third base and into scoring position. Erik Molina followed with a double, bringing in Ortiz and Sabbag.

South Dade responded in the bottom of the fourth. Adam Roush led off and was walked on a full count. Sergio Lopez was then walked as well. Danny Vaughn’s single brought in Roush for South Dade’s only run of the game.

Gil Polanco led off to start the fifth inning, and drove a deep shot into the outfield that was dropped. Manoah and the Cougars’ defense stiffened forcing two outs, but Spencer Levine then brought in Polanco with a single.

Sabbag was hit by a pitch at the plate, sending him to first base. but again Manoah was able to depress the score, throwing two strikeouts. Joey Gonzalez struck an RBI single for another run, and Gonzalez came home after an error in the outfield.

The Buccaneers attempted to rally, but were no match for relief-pitcher Michael Perez and the Cougars’ defense. Perez recorded six strikeouts.

“Teams have doubted us but we showed we aren’t going go away,” said Perez. “What we all did last year was something special; today we wanted to get that back and we did.”

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