Appeared in the Sports Section of the Miami Herald.
Published on Thu, May. 17, 2007
By D. MICHAEL QUINONES
The samba rhythms of Pelotero La Bola playing over the loudspeaker at the Belen Jesuit Prep Baseball Complex signifies two things -- catcher Byron Soler is at bat, and opposing pitchers better mind their fastballs.
Soler, a junior batting .417, sent Pembroke Pines Charter packing in the regional quarterfinals because of a walk-off home run. But he isn't the only Wolverine with theme music.
Each player on the team enters the batter's box to a signature song, taking practice cuts as the beats wind down.
However, if the Wolverines are to extend their season of clutch comebacks in the state Class 4A semifinals Friday against Orlando Bishop Moore, then they will have to do so on the neutral ground of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, sans symphony.
''We're not worried,'' Belen coach Tony Meilan said. ``We did a Las Vegas trip and had a good showing at that tournament, so these guys have played well on the road before.''
Simply ''playing well'' might not be enough against a Bishop Moore team that is regarded by many as the best in the state.
The Hornets (29-1) will send Andy Horton (14-0) to the mound to face the Wolverines (20-10), whose bats have given support to a hard-working pitching staff.
Mauricio Rodriguez, a first-team Miami Herald All-Dade selection, will get the start for Belen.
''Pitching and defense is really what wins games for us,'' Meilan said. ``The comebacks and the runs we've had lately, that's more about these guys never giving up, even if its the bottom of the seventh, two outs, down by nine, whatever. We stay in the game.''
Meilan's infield is bolstered by All-Dade honorable mentions Adrian Lorenzo and power-hitting Justin Gonzalez, whose .425 batting average, seven home runs and 31 RBI make him Belen's top offensive threat.
After a relative romp to the District 16 title that featured victories over Key West and Mater Academy, the Wolverines roared back in two games that looked to be their undoing.
Trailing 4-0 in the Region 4-4A quarterfinals, the Wolverines scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to set up Soler's late-game heroics.
The regional semifinals provided more excitement as Belen fell behind Jensen Beach 9-2 before batting around in the bottom of the sixth to take an 11-9 lead and hold on for a 13-12 victory, again courtesy of a walk-off home run, this time by right fielder Eric Cos.
The Wolverines know they can't afford to get down early again.
''We're prepared to play this game like its just another opponent, but I think everyone knows how good they are in the back of their minds,'' Meilan said of Bishop Moore. ``We know its not just another game.''
By D. MICHAEL QUINONES
The samba rhythms of Pelotero La Bola playing over the loudspeaker at the Belen Jesuit Prep Baseball Complex signifies two things -- catcher Byron Soler is at bat, and opposing pitchers better mind their fastballs.
Soler, a junior batting .417, sent Pembroke Pines Charter packing in the regional quarterfinals because of a walk-off home run. But he isn't the only Wolverine with theme music.
Each player on the team enters the batter's box to a signature song, taking practice cuts as the beats wind down.
However, if the Wolverines are to extend their season of clutch comebacks in the state Class 4A semifinals Friday against Orlando Bishop Moore, then they will have to do so on the neutral ground of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, sans symphony.
''We're not worried,'' Belen coach Tony Meilan said. ``We did a Las Vegas trip and had a good showing at that tournament, so these guys have played well on the road before.''
Simply ''playing well'' might not be enough against a Bishop Moore team that is regarded by many as the best in the state.
The Hornets (29-1) will send Andy Horton (14-0) to the mound to face the Wolverines (20-10), whose bats have given support to a hard-working pitching staff.
Mauricio Rodriguez, a first-team Miami Herald All-Dade selection, will get the start for Belen.
''Pitching and defense is really what wins games for us,'' Meilan said. ``The comebacks and the runs we've had lately, that's more about these guys never giving up, even if its the bottom of the seventh, two outs, down by nine, whatever. We stay in the game.''
Meilan's infield is bolstered by All-Dade honorable mentions Adrian Lorenzo and power-hitting Justin Gonzalez, whose .425 batting average, seven home runs and 31 RBI make him Belen's top offensive threat.
After a relative romp to the District 16 title that featured victories over Key West and Mater Academy, the Wolverines roared back in two games that looked to be their undoing.
Trailing 4-0 in the Region 4-4A quarterfinals, the Wolverines scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to set up Soler's late-game heroics.
The regional semifinals provided more excitement as Belen fell behind Jensen Beach 9-2 before batting around in the bottom of the sixth to take an 11-9 lead and hold on for a 13-12 victory, again courtesy of a walk-off home run, this time by right fielder Eric Cos.
The Wolverines know they can't afford to get down early again.
''We're prepared to play this game like its just another opponent, but I think everyone knows how good they are in the back of their minds,'' Meilan said of Bishop Moore. ``We know its not just another game.''
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