MaxPreps Florida Team of the Week: American Heritage baseball

It's one thing to get to the top. It's another to stay there.

Bruce Aven and his American Heritage baseball team have built quite a dynasty in Plantation and, judging by their 8-1 start, the Patriots plan to keep it.

For their fast start and track record, American Heritage has been selected as the MaxPreps Florida Team of the Week, presented by the Florida National Guard.

"We put an emphasis on the players to pass the torch from one season to another. We want to teach them that there is more after high school baseball and we want them to reach that next level," said Aven. "We have 13 college players from the last two seasons and already four or five this season who have signed to play with a college."

The two-time state champions have racked up more than nine runs per game while allowing less than three per contest en route to their fast start.

The Patriots are currently No. 9 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings.

"We want them to have a commitment to be the best you can be and not just with high school baseball," said Aven. "In order to do this, they know they need to put in the extra effort. These players sacrifice a lot of time and they give up things that their friends get to do in order to put in that effort to get extra swings and lift when they don't want to lift. We also want our players to fight to lead the team. When a leader graduates, we want someone to step in and take that role."

Louis Beck and Justin Hernandez have notched a couple wins each while riding the bats of Alec Acosta (.500), Milton Ramos (.500) and David Villar (.391) in the early going. Ramos and Villar already have a couple home runs each.

"(Beck) is different than our other aces the way he can hit every single location and changes speed drastically," said Aven. "Beck really frustrates you as a hitter. He is very crafty and smart. He does his research and knows his opponents."

Beck, a senior right-hander, fired a four-hitter with six strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Pompano Beach on Feb. 21. He's 2-1 with 1.11 ERA with 12 strikeouts and three walks in 19 innings thus far.

"He trusts his stuff and we trust him," Aven said of his senior ace. "No matter who we are playing, we are very comfortable with him on the mound. He's great because he wants the ball and wants to be out there and we just watch him do his thing. He recognizes how hard others before him have worked and knows how hard he needs to work and that it's his time to have the torch."

Villar had a home run in that game, while Justin Lamazares and Villar each picked up two hits in the game. It was one of three shutouts in the early going for the Patriots, who also recorded a 16-0 win over Dillard last week. Dallas Perez had a pair of doubles in that one and six American Heritage pitchers combined on a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts.

American Heritage has recorded an impressive 166-32-1 record since 2007-08, including back-to-back 30-win seasons in 2008 and 2009. In Aven's first season in 2012, the Patriots went 28-4 and won the 5A state title.

"Right now, we want to keep getting better," said Aven. "We have some players who came right in from other sports, so we are still trying to get our swings down and into the groove of things. We have a different team than we've had in the past. Last season we had a pitching staff known as 'murderer's row' because they were all deadly. This year it's different because we have more guys who can beat you at the plate with solid hitting one through nine. We know we have to execute a little better and play better defense."

Last year they were 25-4, but lost in the state semifinals to Estero 3-2 after recording a pair of 10-0 wins to open the playoffs. That defeat no doubt has haunted the Patriots throughout the offseason, and has been at the center of a battle cry for hard work.

"Right now the team is trying to get on the same page," said Aven. "As the season keeps progressing and we have more games, we'll start playing together more and things will start to gel. We'll come together and play together as a team. Once we get there, I know we'll be happy with our results."

MaxPreps editorial assistant Kirstin Beal contributed to this report.

Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Florida Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at FLteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.