Doral Academy Blanks Flanagan To Move On To Semifinals

Over the past dozen years under Manager Ralph Suarez, the Doral Academy Firebirds have established an impressive dynasty. State champions in 2022, the team has been an imposing force in the playoffs every year. Friday afternoon the Firebirds flexed their might with a dominant 10-0 victory over the Flanagan Falcons in a Class 6A Region 4 quarterfinal.

Doral advances past the do-or-die opening round and now hosts a best-of-three semifinal series against the Southridge Spartans, beginning on Friday, May 1st. The Spartans (20-5) won a 4-0 decision over the Coral Springs Colts in another 6A-4 quarterfinal to also advance. The Firebirds (24-4) are now one round away from reaching their fifth regional final in the past six seasons.

“It was a big win for us. We’re a really young club this year,” Coach Suarez said. “They really over-achieved. We only have four seniors, two that started in the starting lineup and two that are pitchers. So I’m very proud that we move on to the semifinals. This team has continued to impress me, for how young they are.”

Christopher Vasallo set the tone right away with a 1-2-3 first inning, a recurring theme on his way to throwing a no-hit, complete-game shutout. The junior right-hander allowed just two walks, while striking out six on only 72 pitches in six scoreless innings.

The offense matched that effort right away, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looking back. Doral got home runs from Kobe Carrion, Louis Prieto and Jaivyn Francois, and Anthony Velasquez chipped in with a pair of doubles and a pair of runs. Maurizio Rodriguez added a two-RBI double that closed out the ball game.

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