Vote now: Who should be the South Florida baseball Player of the Week?
A wild and wet week of baseball action took place last week in South Florida.
Several key games were washed out, including the anticipated Tampa Jesuit at Marjory Stoneman Douglas showdown of two of the state’s top teams.
Miller School of Albemarle (Va.), coached by former big leaguer Billy Wagner, made a trip to South Florida, and had two games rained out – with one made up on Saturday morning against West Broward. The Mavericks, however, had their contest with North Broward Prep washed out.
Still, plenty of games did get in, highlighted with national power, IMG Academy, visiting South Florida. The Ascenders showed why they are a national championship frontrunner, as they came away with two close-call wins – 6-2 in nine innings against Archbishop McCarthy, and 9-8 at previously unbeaten Doral Academy.
Throughout the week, SBLive Sports Florida was on hand to witness the action. Now it’s time to decide who is deserving of the South Florida Player of the Week.
As always, our polls are intended to be fun and include as many players and programs as possible. Please vote as often as you’d like, and please help us spread the word to give all the nominees consideration. Voting will end March 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Congratulations to last week's winner: Shaun Shapiro of South Broward.
Here are this week's nominees:
Andrew Alvarez, 3B, St. Thomas Aquinas: The junior had a game to remember against Cooper City. Alvarez homered twice, driving in eight runs, while scoring four times.
Richard Bello, LHP, Flanagan: Pitching has been carrying the Falcons. Bello stepped up with an 11-strikeout performance over six shutout innings in a win at Archbishop McCarthy.
Cody Boisvert, RHP, Nova: The junior impressed, giving up two runs in six innings on the road at Flanagan.
Sebastian Berrios, OF, Doral Academy: In the Firebirds’ 8-7 loss to IMG Academy, Berrios chipped in with a home run, two hits and two RBIs. The outfielder also had a home run and four RBIs in a win against Everglades.
Maxwell Burkholz, OF, North Broward Prep: The Eagles rallied for two runs in the seventh inning to walk-off Chaminade-Madonna, 2-1. Burkholz had a double, scored a run, and pitched a scoreless inning in the game.
Keniel Marrero, South Broward: The Bulldogs built a big lead early against Everglades and cruised to a 12-3 win. Marrero led the charge with two home runs, three hits and five RBIs.
Jose Torres, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy: The junior showed tremendous poise against IMG’s high-powered offense, tossing four shutout innings, scattering two hits while striking out four.
Nathaniel Carroll, OF, Taravella: The Trojans went 3-0 during the week, and Carroll was a consistent performer with five total hits.
Manny Delaosa, RHP, Chaminade-Madonna: The junior gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings in a 2-1 win against Pine Crest.
Troy Korvick, P, Palmetto: The 6-foot-3 senior gave up one run in six innings in a win against St. Brendan.
Rafael Diaz, INF, Columbus: Diaz had three hits, including a double, and four RBIs for the Explores in their 11-10 win against Palmetto.
Bennett Gary, OF, Marjory Stoneman Douglas: The junior, who is committed to Miami, belted a home run, and drove in four against Miller School of Albemarle.
Robert Kramer, INF, Monsignor Pace: A junior, Kramer had a nice week, driving in four runs against Brito, and followed that up with two RBIs against Hialeah, and three runs batted in against Miami Beach.
J.C. Hernandez, P, Westminster Academy: The Lions continue to play good baseball, and Hernandez stepped up in a 7-6 win over Archbishop Carroll, striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings.
Matias Fisher, INF, True North Classical: In the Titans’ win against St. Thomas Aquinas, Fisher had three hits. The sophomore also added two hits and drove in a pair of runs against West Boca Raton.
James Litman, RHP, West Boca Raton: With a 96-mph fastball, Litman is tough to hit. The right-hander showed that against American Heritage, giving up two runs on three hits with nine strikeouts.
Genson Veras, OF, Cooper City: In a loss to St. Thomas Acquinas, Veras had a memorable, two-home run, four RBI game. He finished that day with three hits. Veras also scored a run in the Cowboys’ 3-2 win against South Broward.
Manny Marin, SS, Westminster Christian: The Warriors are showing why they’re one of the better teams in the state. They beat a tough Columbus team, 6-1, in a game played at the University of Miami, and won three games last week. Marin (Tennessee commit) had two home runs in those three games.
Devin Mila, OF, NSU University: The Sharks’ offense has been on a roll, scoring 38 runs in three games last week. Mila did his part, driving in four on two hits against Miami Country Day.
Jayden Nunez, OF, Doral Academy: Nunez made his presence felt for the Firebirds, collecting three hits, including a double and a homer, while driving in four runs against Everglades. He added a homer and three RBIs against IMG.
Daniel Ortega, INF, Western: Ortega had two hits, including a homer, and three RBIs in a win against Dr. Krop. The senior also had a home run, and three RBIs in the Wildcats’ 8-2 win against South Broward in loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins.
Rocco Rovetto, 3B, NSU University: The junior third baseman belted a home run and drove in six runs against Ransom Everglades.
Manuel Sarcos, C, West Broward: A sophomore, Sarcos had two hits and two RBIs in a win over Cypress Bay. The catcher also had a hit and a run scored in a victory against Western, and in a 5-5 tie against Miller School of Albemarle (Va.), Sarcos blasted a home run.
Antonio Turco-Rivas, RHP, American Heritage: In a pitchers’ duel against St. Thomas Aquinas, Turco-Rivas gave up one hit and didn’t allow a run, while striking out 11.
Justin Torres, Sagemont: Torres had a double, home run and four RBIs in a win against Dade Christian.
Jason Vazquez, Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs won all three games they played during the week, and Vazquez was a key contributor with seven RBIs.