Palmer Trinity Stakes Claim As Top Dawg In 2A-15

A couple weeks ago, the first HSBN Miami Power Rankings of the season came out. Ransom Everglades, a team that started the season on fire, was on that original Top 10. Palmer Trinity, who had a similarly strong start to the year, were not.

That led Falcons players, coaches, and fans to circle Monday’s game with the Raiders, in anticipation of proving those first rankings were off.

The Falcons backed up their contention that they belonged in those rankings, by defeating Ransom 8-2, and staking their claim at this point in the season, to being one of the favorites to win 2A-15.

“Obviously it was a big game for us,” said Falcons Manager Howard Cuervo. “We have a rivalry with Ransom in all sports and Kenny (Perez) and I played together in the state championship at South Miami. So we know each other well. Today, we executed at a high level, and we are just rolling right now.”

Rolling they are, as Palmer has ripped off six consecutive wins, including a victory over #7 Belen Jesuit.

Joshua Martinez took the mound in this one, and he went five innings, allowing only three hits and two earned runs. He struck out eight on the afternoon.

It was Ransom that actually struck first offensively. Juan Velazco worked a lead-off walk, and after a strikeout, Jorge Gross launched a two-run home run to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.

“They jumped on us early, and it was really important how we responded to those first two runs,” said Cuervo.

In their half of the first, the Falcons cut the lead to 2-1.

Then, in the second, consecutive RBI singles from Michael Miraglia and David Herrera gave Palmer the 3-2 lead. They added a run in the third, and the score remained 4-2 into the fifth.

The Falcons then broke the game open when Thomas Barcinas Jr. hit a three-run home run, upping the lead to 7-2.

From there, Alex Rizo and Kevin Prieto each threw an inning of shutout ball, and Palmer had secured one of their biggest wins of the season.

“We have put in a lot of hours, from the coaching staff, to the players,” said Cuervo. “And it is all starting to pay off. People within the baseball community are starting to recognize our baseball program, and that is a testament to how much work has gone into building the program.”

With the win, the Falcons become the hottest team in a district that at various times, has seen four different teams stake their claim to the possibility of being the best team in the district.

True North won the district last year, and has been among the county’s best early in 2026. Ransom started the year 7-0, before losing two of their last three games.

Palmer has the longest current winning streak in the district, at six.

And then there is perennial powerhouse Westminster Christian, a team working through some early-season consistency, with the pedigree to also make a run.

“We have played a strong schedule so far this year, and have to continue to play with urgency,” said Cuervo. “We think we have a special team, that can make a run.”

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