Thunder Strikes As JC Bermudez Upsets #1 Columbus

The jinx of being #1 in the HSBN Miami Power Rankings appear to be a real thing in 2025. In last weeks inaugural rankings, Miami Springs held the top spot, only to suffer their first loss of the season just a few days later to underdog COHEA.

That should have served warning to the Columbus Explorers, who were the beneficiaries of that loss, ascending to the top spot this week with a 9-1 record. The Explorers have been among the most consistent teams in the state through the seasons first month.

That all changed on Monday evening, however, as JC Bermudez, a team that has had an up-and-down season so far, went on the road and pulled off the stunning upset of #1 Columbus, 4-2.

“I think this is one of the biggest upsets in the state this season, and it’s a great story,” said second-year Thunder Manager Carlos Garcia. “A second-year team goes out and grinds out a win on the road at Columbus. I am very proud of the way our guys rose to the occasion tonight.”

Bermudez showed they were there to compete early, when they scored two runs off Columbus starter Matt Rios in the first. Rios had been unbeaten, 3-0 on the season coming in, allowing only three runs in 18 innings.

Jose Herreras led off the game with a single, then one out later, Brandon Santiso lined a home run to right, giving the Thunder a 2-0 lead.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth, when the Explorers finally broke through against Bermudez starter Daniel Marquez.

A Rafael Diaz single, and a Matthew Fernandez double cut the lead to 2-1.

Fernandez would then work out of the jam, and close out his five innings of work in the next inning with a 1-2-3 inning. Marquez finished the day throwing 60 pitches, allowing five hits, one run, while striking out three.

“Daniel was dealing for five innings,” said Garcia. “He did a great job of mixing up his pitches and keeping their hitters off balance all night.”

After Marquez, the Thunder turned the ball over to Yan Cartaya, who worked around a double and an intentional walk in the sixth to keep the score 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, Jose Herrera hit a two-run double, giving Bermudez some insurance runs, and upping the lead to 4-1.

Cartaya again worked into some trouble in the seventh, by hitting Robbie Oyarzun, and giving up a single to Alec Cruz. With the tying run at the plate, Cartaya was able to get a strikeout, a fielder’s choice ground ball that cut the lead to 4-2, and a pop out to end the game and complete the upset win.

Bermudez has been inconsistent in 2025 so far, winning their first three games, then dropping four out of five, before now winning their last three. Garcia, however, understands what a win like this could do for a young program moving forward.

“A win like this can really flip our season. That is one of the best teams in Miami, and to come down here and win, could give our guys the confidence to play with more consistency the rest of the year.”

The Thunder will have a chance to pick up some momentum, as their next three games will be against teams with sub .500 records.

Columbus also will have a chance to put this one behind them quickly, as they face Palmetto Tuesday, COHEA Wednesday, and Southridge Friday.

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