Stoneman Douglas baseball winning streak halted at 59 by Lincoln

Top-ranked Eagles lose to Tallahassee's Lincoln to fall one game short of the Florida state record for consecutive wins; South Florida baseball roundup

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FLORIDA – For the first time in nearly two years, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas baseball team walked off a baseball diamond without a victory.

On Saturday night, the No. 1-ranked Eagles were on the cusp of tying a Florida state record for most consecutive wins, but their quest was denied following a 5-4 loss to Lincoln Tallahassee at South Walton High in Santa Rosa Beach.

The streak stops for Stoneman Douglas at 59-games. Calvary Christian Clearwater established the record at 60 games in 2017-18.

Heading into the weekend, Stoneman Douglas (8-1) was ranked as SBLive Sports’ No. 1 team in the state of Florida and No. 1 team in the nation.

The next rankings will be released on Wednesday.

The Eagles had not experienced losing a baseball game since falling 4-3 to Lake Worth Park Vista on March 22, 2022.

Since then, the Eagles went on a historical run, winning their remaining 22-games in 2022, and in the process, claiming a state and national championship. They finished 30-2 that year.

Last year, Stoneman Douglas ran the table, going 29-0, and capturing state and national titles.

The streak was at 57 when the Eagles made a daunting trip to the Florida Panhandle to compete in three games in three straight days. For any team, winning in three straight days is a tall task because of the usage of pitchers.

Stoneman Douglas beat South Walton, 4-1, on Thursday, and then held off nationally-ranked Farragut Knoxville, 4-2, on Friday.

In Saturday’s loss to Lincoln, Stoneman Douglas shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald showed why he is one of the top players in the country, belting a pair of two-run homers. In the seventh inning, Fitz-Gerald belted his second homer, making it a one-run game.

However, Stoneman Douglas was unable to complete the comeback.

Stoneman Douglas returns home on Tuesday against Coral Glades.

The Eagles have not lost to a Broward County school since falling to Taravella in the 2022 season opener.

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Here is a roundup of last week's South Florida baseball action:

TARAVELLA 1, NSU UNIVERSITY 0

Speaking of Taravella, the Trojans have won six straight.

On a scorching-hot Saturday afternoon, Taravella traveled to University School.

Both teams dressed for the occasion, wearing St. Patrick’s Day attire.

Clad in green, the Trojans edged the Sharks, 1-0, behind EJ Burns’ complete-game shutout.

Burns, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, allowed one hit, one walk and struck out five.

Taravella's EJ Burns, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, allowed just one in hit and struck out five in a 1-0 shutout of NSU University on Saturday. The Trojans have now won six straight / Photo by Joe Frisaro

The lone run came in the second inning when Tyler Morgan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

University School sophomore Matthew Greenberg also pitched a complete game, giving up one run on four hits.

“He’s a dog,” Taravella coach Joe Giummule said of Burns’ performance. “Not only can he play the field and hit, but he can do that against a really good team that’s disciplined at the plate.”

At one point in the fourth inning, Taravella (9-3) had pitchers warming up in the bullpen, but Burns regrouped and finished strong.

Rocco Rovetto’s first-inning single was the only hit for the Sharks (8-2).

“I just told myself, I’ve got to dig deep,” Burns said. “As deep as I could. Every inning after the fifth inning, I just kept telling myself, dig deep, as much as I could. I had to be there for my guys, as much as I could.”

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 5, ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY 2

Credit the Raiders for being able to mix and match, and continue to play good baseball.

They’re without a couple of key seniors, who are sidelined with injuries.

In their absence, others are stepping up.

On Friday night, St. Thomas (9-3) went on the road and defeated Archbishop McCarthy, 5-2.

Anthony Ciscar (Miami commit) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.

Cash Clementi, Jayden Doverspike and Cole Lasher each had two hits for the Raiders.

Greg Caban had two hits for McCarthy (4-5).

DORAL ACADEMY 5, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN 3

In one of the biggest games in Miami-Dade County this season, Doral Academy (10-1) beat Westminster Christian (7-2) and the Warriors’ ace, Lazaro Collera, who gave up four runs (but only one earned) with six strikeouts in five innings.

Ignacio Salaverria had two hits, an RBI and he scored two runs for the Firebirds.

CHAMINADE-MADONNA 5, WESTMINSTER ACADEMY 5

The Chaminade-Madonna Lions aren’t just a football school.

The baseball team is making noise, winning two games last week to improve to 6-2-1.

Chaminade rallied on Tuesday to defeat Westminster Academy, 8-5.

Shortstop John Bishop homered and drove in three runs.

AMERICAN HERITAGE PLANTATION 3, KEY WEST 1

In a classic pitching matchup, American Heritage last Wednesday, held down Key West, 3-1, in a battle of state-ranked teams.

Talan Holiday (North Carolina commit) gave up one run in six innings for Heritage.

Key West starter, Anthony Lariz (University of Central Florida) struck out seven and gave up two runs (none earned) in five innings.

Heritage (7-4) played three straight days, and on Friday had its seven-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss to True North Classical Academy (6-4), coached by former American Heritage player and ex-big leaguer, Adrian Nieto.