Cypress Bay Builds Off 6-Run Third To Cruise Past McArthur

Cypress Bay’s (10-6) pitching has been consistent all season, but it was the Lightning’s offense on Monday that came through in a 16-4 victory over the McArthur Mustangs (10-6).

The Mustangs struck first with a single run in the bottom of the first inning, but it was all Cypress Bay after that. The Lightning got to Mustangs starter Matthew Zamore in the third and plated six runs to take a commanding lead. Zamore’s night ended after an insurance run crossed in the fourth and the bullpen went on to allow another nine runs over the final three innings of the game. Much of that damage came in a seven-run seventh that was prolonged by defensive miscues by the Mustangs.

Sixteen runs on 17 hits is quite the statement for a team best known for its pitching, and Lightning manager Bo Diaz hopes this means his team is getting hot at the right time.

“I think it’s that part of the season where we have to start seeing the production,” Diaz said. “We started moving things around in our lineup to make sure that we put the guys that are having quality at-bats in there so they get more reps in a game. Tonight, finally the hard work paid off.”

Diaz was quick to point out that his squad has another game on Tuesday against Chaminde Madonna (8-8) and can’t afford to get too comfortable after the win. If Cypress Bay is going to keep up the strong offense and carry that into the postseason, keeping the same approach that led to this blowout will be key.

“We’ve been focusing on our approach and getting the barrel to the ball regardless of the outcome,” Diaz said. “Kind of just a see-ball-hit-ball thing to get back to the basics. I think the team did really well from start to finish getting into those kinds of quality at-bats throughout the order.”

True to Diaz’s word, all but one of Cypress Bay’s starting nine hit safely in the win. Designated hitter Ignacio Salaverria led the team with three RBIs and four others tied for second with a pair of ribbies.

As good as the offense was in this one, it’s important not to overshadow the effort Cypress Bay starter Jake Sasse gave on the mound. After giving up an early lead, Sasse put his head down and went to work for four solid innings. The Mustangs tacked on two runs in the fifth as Sasse’s command began to slip with an elevated pitch count.

His night ended after five innings and three runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks. Diaz praised his starter’s work and said Sasse gave the team what they needed from him to start off the week.

“I had some trouble in the first inning but I got around it,” Sasse said. “I ended up going four more with only two more runs in the last inning. I felt pretty good. There were a few hiccups but in the end, it helped the team come out with the win.”

Jesus Rodriguez pitched the final two innings of the game for Cypress Bay, surrendering just one run in the final frame.

McArthur hit the ball well all night against a defense that’s hard to get through. The problem was that too many hard-hit balls were finding gloves in crucial situations. Mustangs manager Oddibe McDowell is hoping that this loss serves as a bit of a wake-up call for his team and thinks that his club is the type to respond with a little extra effort following a blowout.

“When the scoreboard shows 16-4 and 17 hits, there’s a lot more to gain out of that than to lose out of it,” McDowell said. “You can lose a ball game, and then you can lose a ball game. So, if you learn from the loss, it causes you to win in the long run. It makes you reach down inside and say ‘hey, I’ve got to give a better effort.'”

One player McDowell says he doesn’t have to worry about taking the loss seriously is Zamore. His other four starts this season were all Mustangs wins and it’s his first taste of defeat at the varsity level as a sophomore. McDowell called Zamore a competitor and said he’d be surprised to see the young arm fail to bounce back. His work ethic is too strong not to get through a few growing pains.

“The first two innings were good,” Zamore said. “They were getting hits but it was soft contact and I just wanted to limit the amount of hits they could get. But they found gaps and then they really started hitting the ball well. I was trying to do the best I could to start the game good and end the game good, but as you can see the second part didn’t happen.”

The Mustangs have a week off until they return to action. The week opens with Hallandale (0-7) at home and then a road game at Coral Springs (4-9). Although the schedule looks favorable on paper, McDowell will spend the week making sure his team is mentally prepared for their next outing.

“The schedule is a very favorable schedule, yeah, but the kids have got to know that regardless of who we’re playing you have to go out there and do what you have to do,” McDowell said. “If you play the game that your capable of, the outcome is going to be in your favor. That’s hustle, catch it, throw it and catch it. Don’t give the opposition more opportunities than allowed in each half inning.”

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