Ferguson Prevails Over Palmetto 2-1

Fans around the world are anxiously awaiting MLB Opening Day to watch nine glorious innings of top-notch baseball. For those lucky enough to attend last night’s showdown between Ferguson (1-0) and Palmetto (0-1) at South Dade’s picturesque stadium, Christmas came early.

In a defensive battle that required two extra innings the Falcons came out on top 2-1, thanks to a clutch one-out RBI double by catcher Alex Medina in the top of the ninth that sent second-baseman Sergio Ramos across the plate.

The game featured dominant pitching by both teams, including Ferguson’s Alan Saumell who worked six strong innings, striking out seven while only giving up four hits and one run. Palmetto starting pitcher Jake Oliver looked equally polished, allowing just one run over six innings as well. Each pitcher gave up a run in the first inning before locking in for the rest of the game.

After stellar performances by winning pitcher Kevin Torres of the Falcons (five strikeouts and zero runs over two) and Carter Nash of the Panthers (two strikeouts and zero runs over two), Ferguson shortstop/closer Javier Valdez pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save. Both Ferguson manager Jose Novas and Palmetto manager Danny Smith agreed that over the course of a long season, pitching usually comes around before hitting.

“Hitters need to get their timing and get their cuts in,” said Novas. “Our pitchers had their stuff tonight and their pitchers threw a heck of a game tonight too. Hopefully our hitting will catch up soon.”

Smith echoed this sentiment.

“Their pitchers were great. Our pitchers were great. But hitting-wise our timing is off and our plan at the plate is not where it needs to be.”

Despite the difficulties of pulling out a hot bat to start the season, a few players on both teams had quality nights at the plate. Ferguson freshman Ricardo Duran had three singles and scored a run. His teammate Valdez collected two hits, including an RBI double, to accompany his save on the mound.

For the Panthers, third baseman Michael Roman had two hits and Kevin Barbato ripped a double in the bottom of the sixth.

The hit of the night, however, belonged to Medina, who lined one into the outfield with Ramos on second to seal the game. The hit occurred after a big momentum shift when Panthers pitcher Felix Garcia picked off a Falcons runner at second base–a play that Smith’s pitchers work on extensively in practice. Likewise his catchers, as Joshua Cohen threw out two base-runners in a fine performance behind the plate.

Also adding to the intrigue of Medina’s hit was his unsuccessful bunt attempt at the beginning of the at-bat, which his manager believes was the key to finding his stroke just in time for the game-winning double.

“When a kid doesn’t get a bunt down, usually he gets a little upset and it tends to focus him a little more,” Novas explained. “He put a good swing on it and the hit was huge.”

Both teams’ fielders complimented their pitchers with sound defense, as there were no major mistakes in the field. There were certainly glimpses of the crisp hitting and precise bunting that will become commonplace by April and May, but for this game it was all about good pitching and stout defense for nine innings strong. As most baseball fans would agree, the season has started right on track.

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