WATCH: Meet the State Champion Melbourne Central Catholic Baseball Coaches and Players
By Chris Bonanno, Senior Editor & Reporter // June 19, 2019
second state championship for MCC since 2013
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Space Coast Daily Senior Editor and Reporter Chris Bonanno talked with the baseball coaches and players of Melbourne Central Catholic about their championship season. The Hustlers won the Class 5A State Championship after defeating Cardinal Gibbons 6-3 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Melbourne Central Catholic won the Class 5A State Championship in baseball after defeating Cardinal Gibbons 6-3 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
It is Melbourne Central Catholic’s second state championship title in baseball under head coach Tom Dooley and the first state championship for MCC in Class 5A. The first title was won in Class 3A in 2013.
The game started off with a pitching duel between MCC’s Jackson Taylor and Cardinal Gibbons Kenneth Morgan. Both pitchers only allowed a combined three hits through three innings.
Both teams got on the scoreboard by each tacking on a run in the fourth inning.
However, the Hustlers pulled away with the lead in the sixth inning with help from junior Zach Beolet who knocked in two RBIs on the day from the plate.
ABOVE VIDEO: Watch the Melbourne Central Catholic press conference after the Hustlers defeat Cardinal Gibbons 6-3 in 8 innings to claim the Class 5A State Championship.
Taylor, a senior, went 5.1 innings and had one strikeout for the Hustlers. He ended his high school career only giving up one run and three hits on the day.
Cardinal Gibbons, down 3-1, rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning by scoring two runs, forcing extra innings.
MCC responded quickly in the top of the 8th inning by knocking in three runs to go up 6-3 and sealing the Class 5A Championship.
MCC pitcher Shea Justin is credited with the win for the Hustlers.
ABOVE VIDEO: Class 5A State Championship Awards Ceremony
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