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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Andre Fernandez<\/p>\n
afernandez@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a while since Miami Southridge was a true baseball powerhouse.<\/p>\n
The Spartans are making strides this season to change that.<\/p>\n
Southridge took another step in that process this week, capping their first Greater Miami Athletic Conference tournament championship with an 8-0 rout of Goleman on Thursday night at Robbie Smith Field on Southridge\u2019s campus.<\/p>\n
The Spartans are 12-3.<\/p>\n
They won their first GMAC title since 2001.<\/p>\n
The following season in 2002 was the last time a Southridge baseball team made it to the state final four.<\/p>\n
Could a return to state be in the cards this year?<\/p>\n
Southridge baseball coaches and players celebrate on Thursday night at Robbie Smith Field after winning their first GMAC championship since 2001. Andre Fernandez afernandez@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so proud of these guys because we\u2019ve come a long way,\u201d said Southridge coach Manuel Ojeda IV, who is in his third season coaching the Spartans. \u201cThese continue to follow the process and continue to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ojeda\u2019s team has a solid mix of pitching, defense and hitting, which was on display on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Led by designated hitter Carlos Gutierrez and first baseman Jonathan Paniagua, who each had two hits, the Spartans jumped all over Goleman quickly with four runs in the first inning.<\/p>\n
Paniagua, who transferred from Varela to Southridge before this season, began the onslaught with a two-run double and Gutierrez followed with a run-scoring single.<\/p>\n
Southridge added two more in the third by being patient at the plate. Francis Garcia and Jonathan Carrasco each drew walks with the bases loaded.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal from the beginning was to attack early, get a lead, and pass it to our bullpen,\u201d Ojeda IV said.<\/p>\n
Southridge starter Christian Fontaine and his defense did the rest.<\/p>\n
Fontaine, a Miami Dade College commit, threw four scoreless innings, struck out five and walked two, and combined with Emmanuel Salgado, Jackcel Reyes and Isaac Vidal on the shutout.<\/p>\n
![\"Southridge](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Fontaine.jpg\" "\\"Fontaine.jpg\\"")
Southridge pitcher Christian Fontaine threw four shutout innings on Thursday at Robbie Smith Field against Goleman to help the Spartans win the GMAC championship. Andre Fernandez afernandez@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
Fontaine ran into some trouble in the fourth inning as Goleman (10-6) put two runners on, but a key double play kept the game scoreless.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done this without God. I did a whole prayer right before the game, stretched and calmed myself down and said I\u2019m just playing catch out there,\u201d Fontaine said. \u201cMy coaches motivate me a lot and I\u2019m really thankful for everyone on the team and how much we\u2019ve improved over the past three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got into a little bit of trouble but I refocused and my mindset was to keep pounding the zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southridge has four regular season games remaining before the district playoffs begin April 14-17. The Spartans are in a tough District 16-6A, which includes perennial state title contender Doral Academy.<\/p>\n
Ojeda IV is hopeful his team will continue to improve and show the determination that has led to a renaissance this season for the Spartans.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re selfless and relentless. Every day, we turn in the work. We\u2019ve lost three one-run games and they\u2019ve never hung their heads. They keep showing up.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust being healthy and everyone staying the course. I think this team is just hitting their stride now.\u201d<\/p>\n