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Melbourne Central Catholic Takes 3A Baseball Title

By  //  May 22, 2013

MCC EARNS first-ever baseball state championship

Melbourne Central Catholic as MCC unseated the reigning 3A state champion Jacksonville Providence 2-1 to win the Hustler's first-ever baseball state championship at at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Melbourne Central Catholic unseated the reigning 3A state champion Jacksonville Providence 2-1 to win the Hustler’s first-ever baseball state championship at at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers. Team Members include Nick Capra, Vinnie Capra, Will Erdman, John Capra, Austin Nickle, Kenny Rhodes, Cameron Lierman, Christian Vargas, Colman Laroche, Mark Potter, Trevor Mills, Kevin Silva, Alex Carpenter, AJ Smith, Keaton Cederstrom, Ray Watkins, Ian Fox and Austin Perlman. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

FT. MYERS, FLORIDA – Tom Dooley celebrated his 25th anniversary as the head baseball coach of Melbourne Central Catholic as MCC unseated the reigning 3A state champion Jacksonville Providence 2-1 to win the Hustler’s first-ever baseball state championship at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers.

“It’s so surreal,” Dooley told Brighthouse Sports Network. “To win a state title we really earned it because we beat a great team, a great program and a great coach.

Watch Brighthouse Sports Network channel 47 to see a replay of the 2013 FHSAA 3A State Championship Final: Providence vs Melbourne Central Catholic. (BHSN image)
Watch Brighthouse Sports Network Channel 47 tonight at 7 p.m. to see a replay of the 2013 FHSAA 3A State Championship Final: Providence vs Melbourne Central Catholic. (BHSN image)

The Stallions loaded the bases in the third inning with one out when Mother Nature gave MCC a helping hand with a rain and lightning storm – and the subsequent rain delay shifted the momentum of the game from the Stallions to the Hustlers. When the game resumed after the two hour delay, AJ Smith took the hill for MCC and retired the next two batters to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Will Erdman then scored what was to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Vincent Capra.

The Hustlers has tremendous support from their students at the game in Ft. Myer. The game will be rebroadcast tonight at 7 p.m. on channel 47.(BHSN image)
The Hustlers enjoyed tremendous support from their fellow students who traveled to the game in Ft. Myers. The game will be rebroadcast tonight at 7 p.m. on Brighthouse Sports Network Channel 47. (BHSN image)

MCC closed out the game with freshman Mark Potter on the mound for the Hustlers, and he retired the final five batters to help the Hustlers to the 3A championship.

“It felt amazing,” said Potter to Brighthouse Sports Network. “Greatest game I’ve ever had to play. The first couple of pitches I was a little nervous. The start of the seventh inning I was fine.”

Team members of the 2013 3A state champion Melbourne Central Catholic Hustlers include Nick Capra, Vinnie Capra, Will Erdman, John Capra, Austin Nickle, Kenny Rhodes, Cameron Lierman, Christian Vargas, Colman Laroche, Mark Potter, Trevor Mills, Kevin Silva, Alex Carpenter, AJ Smith, Keaton Cederstrom, Ray Watkins, Ian Fox and Austin Perlman.

FAITH-BASED COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL

Melbourne Central Catholic High School, founded in 1961, is a faith-based, college preparatory high school whose purpose is to foster 21st century thinking skills in a diverse student body.

Melbourne Central Catholic High School, founded in 1961, is a faith-based, college preparatory high school whose purpose is to foster 21st century thinking skills in a diverse student body. (MCC image)
Melbourne Central Catholic High School, founded in 1961, is a faith-based, college preparatory high school whose purpose is to foster 21st century thinking skills in a diverse student body. (MCC image)

The school’s traditional liberal arts curriculum challenges the college-bound student to develop effective communication, critical thinking, problem solving and technical skills. Melbourne Central Catholic is committed to small class size and an environment that is orderly, achievement-oriented, supportive and positive.

Dedicated to empowering young adults, Melbourne Central Catholic provides rigorous academics at the AP, honors and college prep levels, and encourages participation in extracurricular activities, clubs and athletics.

Dedicated to empowering young adults, Melbourne Central Catholic provides rigorous academics at the AP, honors and college prep levels, and encourages participation in extracurricular activities, clubs and athletics.
Dedicated to empowering young adults, Melbourne Central Catholic provides rigorous academics at the AP, honors and college prep levels, and encourages participation in extracurricular activities, clubs and athletics.

These programs provide opportunities for students to experience not only the self-discipline and exertion of a competitive sport, but also the development and growth of their creative talents.

Through regular worship, probing classes, Catholic studies, and an active community service program, the school instills in its students values and dedication that will equip them for useful, satisfying and unselfish lives. The Melbourne Central Catholic community is committed to the development of students academically, athletically, creatively and spiritually.