Miami Sunset’s Sound Defense Downs Ferguson In Semifinal

Miami Sunset Knights Manager Armando Pelaez has told his team all year long the importance of playing a complete game.

Wednesday’s 8A-15 semifinals showdown between the Ferguson Falcons and Miami Sunset Knights at Columbus Explorers’ field was going to be the end of the season for one team and sending the other team to regionals.

The Knights were able to play a complete game and take down the Falcons in a 7-1 victory.

Ferguson came into the game as the second seed in the district, but Miami Sunset’s stellar defense and timely hitting helped advance the Knights to the district finals.

“It’s something that we talked about all year and today we played a complete game,” Pelaez said. “We attacked the plate and hit the ball well, and made some difficult plays defensively. That’s what we have to do to help our pitcher out.”

Austin Comesanas started on the mound for the Knights. Comesanas pitched a complete game and allowed three hits and one run, striking out five batters.

Michael Paez and the Knights began the game with a single to center field, and Michael Centeno followed with a double to left field. Alex Bravo sent both runners home with his deep shot to center field.

The Knights Gustavo Garcia was walked in the fourth inning, and Paez held his bat at the plate and walked on four pitches.

Centeno then cleared the bases with his deep shot over the Columbus Blue Monster for a three-run home run.

“He had thrown me two off-speed pitches and I was swinging out in front so I knew he was going to come with it again,” Michael Centeno said. “I tried staying back and waited on it and I was able to connect. We try and stay aggressive not only at the plate, but also on base to help out our hitters.”

Ferguson’s Anthony Tucker jumped on base in the sixth by way of a fielder’s choice, as Tucker finished 2-for-3 with two singles. 

After Chris Medina advanced him with a single to right field, Tucker then capitalized on the few mistakes Miami Sunset made as he ran safely home after a wild pitch flew behind the plate.

Carlos Tapia almost made it to first off a shallow pop-up but the pop fly was ran down and a diving catch by Knight’s right fielder Alfredo Iser ended the inning.

Danilo De Armas singled in top of the seventh for Miami Sunset. Jorge Lopez followed and was walked, and De Armas came home on a wild pitch.

Herbert Iser came to the plate in seventh inning with two outs and a Miami Sunset bench chanting the freshman on. Iser then struck a deep shot to center field for an RBI double, erupting the Knights’ bench and giving them a six-run lead.

Ferguson wasn’t ready to let their season end without a fight. The Falcons attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, but Comesanas threw his fifth strikeout and and forced a ground-out to end the game.

“We had so many diving plays; I’ve never seen high school players make those type of plays,” Pelaez said. “We have to get those outs anyway we can. We’re going to continue to be aggressive on the plate and keep our confidence going, and just keep scoring runs.”

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