McArthur Takes Over First Place Behind Jose Ortiz’ Arm, Bat

McArthur took control of District 11 6a with a win over South Broward on Tuesday night.  The win puts the Mustangs one game ahead of South Broward as they have swept the season series against the Bulldogs.

Jose Ortiz started on the mound for McArthur and that is exactly where he would finish.  After a shaky start, walking the first batter, and allowing two consecutive hits to load the bases, Ortiz settled down with a strikeout. He then walked the next batter to push across the game’s first run.

A double play turned by his shortstop Kevin Rosario got the Mustangs out of the early jam and Ortiz would allow only three more base runners the rest of the night. 

“Competitor all of the way through, had a little bit of bad luck in the first with the dropped fly ball but he competes and somehow he gets stronger as the game goes on,” said McArthur Head Coach Daniel Baugh, “He wants the ball and he wants to win.”

The Bulldogs were able to manufacture one more run in the third after a one out double by Josh James. He would steal third and score on a sacrifice fly by Colin Tindal. 

The Mustang offense was held in check by James, who went four and a third for the no decision, as he surrendered just two hits through the first four innings. 

McArthur would finally get on the board in the fifth when Ortiz sparked the offense with a one-out double.  Courtesy runner Johan Seuro would score on a RBI single from Rosario, who hit a liner off of the third baseman’s glove and by the shortstop into left field.

“I had to get on base, needed to light the fire,” said Ortiz about his double. The Mustangs put three consecutive hits together to score their first run.

After another hit, James would be pulled and catcher Casey Hayes would come from behind the plate to pitch.  He would retire the next two batters to preserve the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Mark Hines was hit by a pitch with one out and courtesy runner Dylan Segula would score on a RBI single by Michael Bosco to tie the game at two.  All the while, Ortiz was going about his business on the mound, retiring eleven straight batters from the third through the sixth inning.

This set the stage for McArthur’s come from behind win.  Jake Welch singled with one out in the top of the seventh, moved up to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a ground out to second, and scored on yet another wild pitch. 

South Broward made it exciting in the bottom half of the inning after a lead-off walk would bring Baugh to the mound for a brief conversation.  Baugh decided to stick with his starter and Bart Mugione would be left stranded at third after he stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

“I wanted this game very bad, it was a big game for us and I wasn’t letting that ball leave my hand,” said Ortiz.

“Basically he told me he was going to finish this game, so I said be ready for a bunt and tried to back my way over to the dugout,” Baugh said, when asked about the mound visit in the seventh.

The win was coach Baugh’s 50th of his career.

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