|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Miami Sunset Senior High School’s baseball went through a rough time in 2021 and 2022, winning just one game out of 31. And then came the remarkable season in 2023 when the team went 17-9, becoming Regional Champions and making it to the semifinals of the state baseball championships. The Knights were the only public high school team to make it to the State tournament this year.
“We were a bunch of nobodies from nowhere. Working with a lot of heart, sweat and trust we made it where very few get to go,” says Sunset Head Baseball Coach Julio Mendoza, who himself was named Baseball Coach of the Year by the Miami Herald. “And now we’re in a great position to have another memorable and successful year, with a number of our top players last year being returners this year,” he adds.
Mendoza began his coaching career at Miami Jackson Senior High School in 2012, when he was just 19 years old. At Jackson, Mendoza served under Head Coach Denis Pujals, a former Minor League Pitcher who played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2013 Mendoza took over the program becoming the youngest head coach in Florida. After stints at Miami Springs and then Barry University, Mendoza went on to coach at SLAM Miami alongside one of his closest friends, Eric Florin. At the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year, Mendoza heard about the opening at Sunset, who had gone 0-17 that year. It appeared to be the challenge and opportunity he longed for.
“When I got here, I had my work cut out for me,” explains Mendoza. “The field was unplayable. You couldn’t even see the clay. We started working on the field right away and making the baseball program more attractive to our students. Our school staff was and continues to been very helpful and supportive, including Mr. Capparelli and Mr. Cesarano.” After a difficult first year in 2022, when the team went 1-14, there was a metamorphosis, which Mendoza attributes to a new culture among the players and an innovative coaching strategy.
“We focus on things we can control, like energy, attitude and effort,” explains Mendoza. “We prepare like no other program, and our perspective is unshakable. What we bring is a lot of heart. It’s a team of amazing kids, supported by amazing parents and an amazing principal, athletic director, and school staff.”
This past spring was the team’s turn to shine, and they did, winning 17 games and qualifying for the Florida 4A state championship tournament in May. But first, the boys had to win the regional championship against Key West, a perennial baseball powerhouse whom the Knights edged out 2-1 in Key West in front of a home crowd of over 2,000.
At the state championship tournament, the Knights fell 5-4 to North Marion High School. “They walked it off in the bottom of the seventh, in what was a very close and exciting game. North Marion ended up winning the whole thing the next day,” says Mendoza.
Current players on the Miami Sunset Senior High School Baseball Team include senior second baseman Miguel Gonzalez, the team’s sparkplug and top of the order hitter. Senior shortstop Angel Santiago, who made the All Miami-Dade County squad last year and has committed to play for Marshall University. “They’re both among the best in the country,” says Mendoza.
Seniors and Team Co-Captains Jonathan Diamond and A.J. Garcia are ones to watch this spring, according to Mendoza. Starting left fielder Diamond can be relied upon when the moment matters most, while pitcher Garcia, known for his bulldog mentality, has committed to Eckerd University. Jonalexander Rivera, seniors Brandon Espinosa and Anthony Gonzalez, and sophomore standout Nicholas “Rainger” Roca are also top returners from last year’s Regional Championship team.
“All of these boys helped lay the foundation of our culture. Our way of doing things. They also know what it takes to get to state. They know what it takes to win a tough game on the road when the stakes are high.” Departing players from the last years squad included Mauro Garcia, Ryan Rivera, Captains Jayden Arguelles, Danny Perruc, and captain catcher Nicholas Rodriguez who is now playing for the University of South Florida.
Starting outfielder Andres Gonzalez had a game-winning walk off home run in the regional semifinals over St. Brendans that led the Knights to the regional championship against Key West. Other star players included Daniel Reyes, an All-County outfielder, and Johan Hidalgo, named Pitcher of the Year by the Miami Herald.
“In addition to my players and parents, I can’t say enough about my assistant coaches, including my nephew Iby Silwany whom I coached at Jackson, as well as Alex Flores and Christian Hermosilla who I coached at SLAM and are now my closest friends. We are all enjoying the journey, together.”
