The Patriots didn't waste any time clinching a berth in Tuesday's Class 3A state championship game, scoring seven runs in the first inning of an 11-6 win against Pensacola Catholic Monday night at Ed Smith Stadium.
American Heritage (30-2), ranked No. 1 in the country by Baseball America, can stake their claim toward winning Broward County's first mythical baseball national championship if it beats Fort Pierce John Carroll Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
A victory would secure the Patriots first state championship.
''We really came out with an incentive since we're so close to getting to our goal,'' said American Heritage coach Todd Fitz-Gerald, whose team has lost only one game against a Florida opponent this season. ``We came out and set the tone very well early.''
American Heritage's players said they are wary of taking the final game lightly after watching recent losses by other South Florida teams in the national spotlight.
Last week, the Pembroke Pines Charter softball team lost in the state final despite entering the game ranked No. 1 nationally and 30-0.
Lake Worth Park Vista, ranked No. 25 by Baseball America, lost in the Class 6A state championship last Friday after entering the game on a 30-game winning streak.
''We've been focusing this week more than we have the entire season,'' said American Heritage senior first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 1 for 2 with three walks and an RBI. ``The entire season we haven't let the spotlight distract us from our goal of winning a state championship.''
Hosmer, a projected top 10 selection in next month's Major League Baseball draft, contributed to a first inning in which American Heritage totaled eight hits.
Left fielder Austin Yager, right fielder Andrew Loynaz, center fielder Joey Belviso and designated hitter Nick Castellanos all hit doubled in the inning. American Heritage knocked Pensacola Catholic starter Steven Groves, who entered with a 11-0 record and an 0.76 ERA, out of the game after recording only one out.
The Patriots appeared ready to rout the Crusaders (28-3), but did not score again until the fifth inning once Pensacola Catholic's Cody Alling entered in relief.
''I think we were way more intense in the first inning to the point where we were kind of drained when it was over,'' Hosmer said. ``It took us a while to get our energy back.''
Heritage 700 022 0 --11 14 1 Pensacola 010 023 0 -- 6 5 3
WP: Juan Carlos Sulbaran (9-0). LP: Steven Groves (11-1).
SOCCER
Johnny Ramos was hired to replace Mauricio Lopez as the boys' soccer coach at Cypress Bay. . . . Longtime Flanagan boys basketball coach Greg Samuels will take over the girls' program at the school.
-- BOB EMANUEL JR.
BASKETBALLSouth Broward guard Iran Hollis will sign a national letter-of-intent with Nova Southeastern. Hollis, a Miami Herald All-Broward second team selection, averaged a 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
-- FABIAN LYON
