Dr. Krop Celebrates Dedication Of Paul Barrios Field

Somebody please update Google Maps, because the baseball field at Dr. Krop High has a new name. Paul Barrios Field was officially dedicated prior to the start of Tuesday’s season-opening game hosting the Hialeah Gardens Gladiators.

Coach Barrios is now into the start of his eighth season managing the Lightning, and his 19th overall coaching high school baseball in South Florida. He previously coached at Miami Country Day and also at Sheridan Hills in Broward County. Krop has gone 59-77-1 with two winning seasons in his first seven, and five players have signed to play college baseball. The program has also seen tremendous growth and stability over that time.

It comes as no surprise that the school felt he’d earned the right for the field to bear his namesake.

“I was shocked and humbled when our school administration told me about the field dedication,” Barrios said. “All I ever set out to do when I began coaching was to give back to the game that has given so much, and to teach the game to our guys. I am deeply honored.”

The celebration was attended by many in the baseball community who mean so much and who have helped Coach Barrios out along the way. Barrios was thrilled to see his former college teammates and former assistant coaches, and especially his former head coach at Florida International University, Danny Price.

However, Hialeah Gardens played spoiler on the field by earning a tough, 1-0 victory.

Ryan Valdes and Andrew Gonzalez combined for the shutout for the Gladiators (1-0). Valdes picked up the win with four strikeouts over four-and-a-third innings, while allowing four hits and two walks. Gonzalez then finished things off with two-and-two-third scoreless relief innings, as he struck out three and surrendered a walk and a hit to earn the save.

Nicholas Rodriguez accounted for the lone run that was the difference, in the top of the fourth. The senior shortstop led off the frame with a base hit to center field, advanced into scoring position on a balk and then came around third to score thanks to RBI single to center from Nicholas Ceballos.

The Lightning pitching was equally impressive. Rafael Peraza made the first home start at Paul Barrios Field, and the senior right-hander piled up seven strikeouts in four innings. He took the loss while allowing one earned run on five hits with no walks and one hit batter.

Box Score

Senior reliever Josh Krutchik followed with three scoreless innings that continued to give his team chances. The left-hander struck out five, had a walk and also hit a batter, without allowing any hits.

Sophomore Carlos Victorero was 2-for-3 for the Gladiators. Senior Jake DeAngelis was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot for the Lightning, and Peraza also collected two hits by going 2-for-3.

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