McArthur Takes District Lead With 12-2 Win Over South Broward

Coming into this year, the buzz around the county regarding District 11-6A centered around the Piper and defending champion South Broward. After the first few weeks, McArthur has established themselves as the new sheriff in town.

McArthur had already defeated Piper earlier this year at home, and on Thursday the Mustangs took sole possession of first place in their district with a 12-2 win over South Broward. McArthur is now the only undefeated team left in district play.

Lead-off hitter Kevin Velez was the catalyst for the Mustangs offense, going 1-2 with two runs and an RBI. Velez opened the game for McArthur with a walk, and scored the team’s first run on a fielder’s choice. The walk was one of three issued by Bulldogs starter Colin Tindal, to go along with two hit batters. The Mustangs scored seven runs in the opening inning.

“Colin is the type of guy that you’re gonna know from the first inning whether he’s going to be on or not,” said South Broward Head Coach Joe Giumulle, when explaining the control problems of his starting pitcher early on.

As for Mustangs starter Tyler Henning, there were no such problems. Henning threw his second district masterpiece of the young season, going five innings and allowing only two runs. The McArthur pitcher has now beaten both Piper and South Broward, two teams that McArthur figures to see down the road in the district tournament.

After the seven-run first, the score stayed the same until the Bulldogs fourth, when two runs were scored. The rally ended when Bart Mugione was erased in a rundown on a base hit to left by Casey Hayes, and Ulysses Peguero grounded out to second.

The Mustangs offense answered immediately in the bottom of the fifth, when Velez had a bunt base hit. Three runs scored on the play when the throw to first went down the right field line. It is plays like these that make Valez a spark plug for McArthur’s offense.

“I feel like it’s my duty to get this team going,” said a jubilant Valez after the game. “I’m a catalyst, that’s what I’m supposed to do, I’m supposed to keep the team up, and as a leader and a lead-off batter, it’s my job to get the team started.”

The Mustangs have started strong in district play, having not yet experienced a loss. Valez believes that the key to their success is that every player on the squad has a role.

“We play as a team. There’s no individuals. We play together. Every thing we do, it includes everybody on the bench, everybody in the bullpen, everybody has to work together to get the ‘W’.”

It would be easy to let the early season success go to their heads, but Mustangs Head Coach Daniel Baugh understands that this is a long season, and these wins are only part of the journey.

“It’s early,” said Baugh. “We’re not going to worry about where we’re at now. We want to be there at the end. As far as being first right now, it’s good, we’re gonna soak it up tonight, and tomorrow we’re gonna go back to work.”

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