McArthur Outlasts South Plantation

There was only one word to describe Monday’s game between South Plantation and host McArthur: ugly.

Numerous errors and several passed balls marred the game, one of six to open the 2011 HSBN/Perfect Recruits Fall Classic. When the dust settled, McArthur made the most of the mess to take a 14-9 win.

South Plantation jumped out to a 5-0 first-inning lead courtesy of five walks and a couple of hits. After leadoff hitter Josh Matos walked and Phil Palestro singled, Sal Rodriguez, Brian Norente, Dustin Birchall and Zach Zirbes walked to bring in three consecutive runs. An error and Kyle Hess’ RBI single scored two more.

A passed ball at first base allowed Michael Bosco to score in McArthur’s half of the first.

Rodriguez and Norente scored two more for South Plantation in the top of the second, but the Mustangs charged back with three runs thanks to four Paladins errors.

South Plantation scratched across another two runs in the top of the third before McArthur plated six runs in the bottom of the frame to overcome the 9-4 deficit and take the lead for good. Eight Mustang batters reached base by a combination of walks, hit-by-pitches and hits. Johan Suero and Cody Swackhammer singled before Oliver Vallejo, Brandon Santiago and Bosco walked to bring in two runs. After Dave Segula struck out, Kevin Rosario was hit by a pitch to allow another run to score. Javier Aguilar’s walked kept the merry-go-round going before Jesus Patricio’s base hit allowed Rosario to come home for the go-ahead run.

The Mustangs padded their lead with a four-run fourth. Bosco doubled in two runs and came around to score for the final margin to highlight the inning.

First-year coach Brian Clark, a former assistant at St. Thomas, commended his team for battling back as it has done in similar situations all fall.

“All the games we’re been down, we’ve come back,” Clark said. “We didn’t panic early. But we need to work on the errors and walks.”

Clark said the Mustangs show promise with a lot of experience returning, including a senior-heavy pitching staff.

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