Prep baseball: Getting to know Archbishop McCarthy

photo by Paul Videla

Lakewood Ranch's baseball team is back in the final four for the first time since the 2003 team's run to the state championship.
Here is a look at the Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks, the Mustangs' opponents Thursday in a 6A state semifinal at Digital Domain Park.
For more on the Mavericks, including an interview with head coach Rich Bielski, check out Tuesday's edition of The Bradenton Herald.

RECORD: 25-4-1
HEAD COACH: Rich Bielski, fourth year at school (106-16-1); 325-13-1 overall.
ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR: Won the District 15 title; defeated Hialeah-Miami Lakes in regional quarterfinal, Miami Belen Jesuit Prep in regional semifinal and Naples in Region 4 championship game.
HITTING LEADERS: Nick Basto (.345, 38 RBIs, three home runs, seven doubles, four triples); Jason Morozowski (.466, 41 hits, 25 RBIs); Brandon Roberts (.384, 23 RBIs, 27 runs, 33 hits).
PITCHING LEADERS: Andre Martinez (10-1, 0.93 ERA, 97 strikeouts, 60 IP); Nick Travieso (7-1, 0.47 ERA, 94 strikeouts, 54 1/3 IP); Brian Gonzalez (3 saves, 0.78 ERA, 27 strikeouts, 18 IP).
OF NOTE: The Mavericks went  29-3 last season and won their second consecutive state championship. They also finished the year ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today...Bielski, who led Hialeah to back-to-back state championships in 2000-01, was named USA Today's 2011 Coach of the Year...Former major-leaguer Alex Fernandez is an assistant coach at Archbishop McCarthy. His son, Alex Jr., graduated from the school last year and is now pitching for the University of Miami...Mavericks pitchers have posted a 1.21 ERA and have totaled 13 shutouts this year.