Mater Academy Captures Third Straight 5A-16 Title

It has been an up and down season for Mater Academy in 2024. They have won some games in which they were underdogs, and lost some games perhaps they shouldn’t have.

But for the second straight season, the Lions have come together at the right time, and defeated longtime district rival Belen Jesuit in the 5A-16 championship game, this year in a 6-4 final.

“It has been a great year for these young players,” said Lions Manager Humberto Bencomo. “We won our third straight district title, and that is very important with how hard these players have worked the past few years. We take a lot of pride in winning these district championships, and tonight was another great night for the Mater Academy family.”

Belen and Mater have been battling for district titles for the better part of the past decade. Some of the best games played in Miami over the decade have come between these two teams.

On Thursday, it was another chapter that was written, and Lions starter Kevin Roque was at the center of the action. The junior threw the first four innings, allowing only four hits. he did not give up an earned run, while striking out three Wolverines.

Roque then gave way to Jonathan Leyva. While the senior gave up three runs in his three innings of work, he was able to close out the game in the seventh, giving Mater the win.

“It was a great performance by Kevin to start the game, giving us four strong innings,” said Bencomo. “And then Jonathan got us to the finish line. It was a great team win.”

Even with the loss, Belen’s season is not necessarily over. There is a good chance the Wolverines will be playing in the regional playoffs next week, due to their state ranking. That leaves open the possibility that these two teams could see each other down the road.

“Tonight was a great game, and all we can ask for as a team is to get hot at the right time,” said Bencomo. “We are looking forward to next week, and this weekend getting ready to play in regionals.”

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