McArthur Beats South Broward 6-2 At Marlins Park
Andres Dilone had one of the biggest hits of the day when he blasted a two-RBI double to deep left field in the second inning.
Wednesday was not just another day at the ball park. Playing a special matinee contest at Miami Marlins Park, local rivals South Broward and McArthur provided plenty of thrills on the Major League field. The Mustangs claimed a 6-2 victory behind some key hits, and each side was able to get many guys into the game.
“Coach McDowell and I talked about it last night and we both agreed to make it more like a fall game where we got kids in and out where we can,” South Broward manager Charlie Cardinale said. “We tried to let them all play and the day was spectacular. The stadium is looking great. I have never seen it with the roof open and it is awesome. The kids played pretty good and I think they all enjoyed themselves. It was a good day had by all and it definitely beats being in school.”
The only thing that could make it any sweeter was getting the win, which is the first of this young season for the Mustangs (1-2). Even while making numerous substitutions throughout the course of action, McArthur got production all over as guys rose to the occasion of playing in such a unique environment.
“It’s something I didn’t get to do at this age so I hope they enjoyed it,” McArthur manager Oddibe McDowell said. “They relished the moment because this doesn’t happen all the time. They were excited and we tried to get all the guys in, but we were not able to get every one of them into it. So we just said to cherish the moment.”
The two sides exchanged unearned runs in the first inning. Stephen Richards reached on an error, stole second and came around to put the Bulldogs (1-2) on the scoreboard thanks to an RBI double on a deep shot to left off the bat of Yordan Maldonado. When the Mustangs got their first swings Aaron Ward swatted a leadoff single to center and advanced around to score on an error.
McArthur took the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning. Kenneth Stanley singled to center and Jordan Shulman worked a walk. Freshman Andres Dilone jumped on the first pitch he saw and drove it to the left field wall to plate both base runners.
Chris Opitz got the honor of making the start for South Broward.
“I was just looking for anything high and he left it up and in so I just turned on it,” Dilone said. “I hit it and put my head down and tried to go for three. I liked the chance to play here and hopefully I’ll get to play here again some day.”
It was an action-packed day on both sides as there were runners on base in almost every inning. Both clubs brought in several pitchers to give guys a chance to pitch in the game on a Major League mound. The two also combined for 12 lineup changes and got to see some nice production from across their rosters.
“I didn’t think I would get to be playing out here my senior year, and it is a really good feeling,” South Broward shortstop Brian Luzon said. “The thing that Coach Cardinale has done for us has really been a change for the team, and just to bring everybody out here to have fun is what it is all about, no matter happens.”
Luzon had a nice showing with a 2-for-3 performance. The senior had a nice bunt single against a defense playing back on him in the third, then lined an RBI single past the shortstop to drive in Steven Fondeur in the fifth. Fondeur walked with one out and Noah Chang moved him over when he got his hands turned in on an inside pitch to line it into left field for a single. Sal Zaremba next worked a walk to load the bases and bring Fondeur up.
McArthur got a run in the fourth when Michael Pozo scored on a bases-loaded walk, and then Pozo delivered a big two-RBI single in the fifth. Michael Gamble reached on a one-out error and Danny Ortega lined a single into right field before Pozo drove them both in two batters later.
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