By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

The American Heritage Patriots took on the Miami Springs Golden Hawks in a region quarterfinal game Wednesday night that saw the Patriots win in dominating fashion. With some solid pitching and big hits, the Patriots cruised to a 10-0 win in six innings and advanced to the 6A Regional semi-final game.

2017 RHP Israel Cordero (American Heritage HS, FL) earned the win in a game in which he threw five shutout innings and scattered three hits with five strikeouts on the night. The uncommitted junior mixed it up well on the mound by using his low- to mid-80s fastball along with 67-68 mph curveball with some shape and depth. 2017 RHP Cody Cortelli (American Heritage HS, FL) relieved Cordero to close the game out by throwing one inning with one strikeout and allowing no hits.

On the offensive side, the Patriots saw themselves get production up and down the lineup as they drove the ball into the gaps and took advantage of some mistakes on the base paths to eventually invoke the mercy rule against the visiting Golden Hawks in six innings.

2019 1B Triston Casas (American Heritage HS, FL) went 1-for-3 on the night with a deep home run over the left-center field wall. The Miami recruit is ranked No. 1 in Florida's 2019 class and the Prep Baseball Report 2019 Overall Rankings, which were just released this week.

2016 OF Jacob Pino (American Heritage HS, FL) also had a strong night at the plate with a couple line-drive singles and two runs scored. 2017 OF Anthony Boix (American Heritage HS, FL) doubled twice and 2016 3B Damian Serralta (American Heritage HS, FL) would drive in three runs to lead the Patriot offense.

With the win, the American Heritage Patriots will take on the defending state champion Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks next week.