Perez, Arauz Lead Mater Lakes Past LaSalle

Edgar Perez Jr. produced a strong game at the plate for Mater Lakes Academy on Wednesday night. But it was his defense that had the sophomore second baseman smiling after the Bears’ 3-1 win against LaSalle in a 4A-15 game at Barry University.

Perez flashed his speed on offense with a stand-up triple and a bunt single. Defensively, he made two outstanding plays at second base. The first was a diving catch on a line drive that robbed Eric Hazday of a hit up the middle; the second came on a stop deep in the hole behind second base and an ensuing bullet he rifled to first for an out that ended a scoring-threat by LaSalle.

“I actually work on defense a lot more than hitting,” Perez said. “Hitting, I obviously do work on it, but defense is really my game.”

So far, Perez is excelling at both. Mater Lakes Manager Cesar Temes could not be more excited at his promising young second baseman.

“He’s super talented. For a sophomore, you can’t ask for more talent,” said Temes.

Perez said he patterns himself after Edgar Renteria, who just happens to be his godfather. Perez was in attendance in Game 5 of the 2010 World Series when Renteria hit a home run that helped the San Francisco Giants clinch the title.

“I train with him and I work out with him. He helps me a lot. I look forward to being just like him,” said Perez, whose father Edgar Sr. also played pro baseball, including a stint with the Chicago White Sox.

In addition to Perez’s performance, Mater Lakes (3-2, 2-2) also received a gutsy effort on the hill from junior right-hander Rene Arauz. Arauz made his first varsity start a memorable one as he held LaSalle to a hit and a run in five innings. Arauz walked six, but made up for it by fanning eight. Luis Perez pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Mater Lakes’ roster features 16 first-year varsity players.

“A lot of these guys, it’s the first time they’re doing it at the varsity level,” Temes said. “I know as a coaching staff we have to be patient with them, but at the same time, we can’t just allow them to settle down.”

Mater Lakes took advantage of LaSalle miscues in the second inning. Marcus Villalobos stole second and scored on the play via two throwing errors.

A smart piece of hitting by David Seijo off starter Jacob Perea upped the lead to 2-0 in the third. Seijo drove in Perez with an opposite-field sacrifice fly.

LaSalle (2-5, 0-4) sliced the lead in half in the bottom of the inning when Carlos Quintana stole two bases and scored on a throwing error on the second steal. But LaSalle struggled to find clutch hits and stranded seven runners.

“You can’t beat a team of the quality of Mater Lakes, or anybody in our district, or anybody in Dade County when you get two hits, 11 strikeouts and four errors,” said LaSalle Manager Hernan Adames. “That’s basically what’s been happening throughout the season.”

LaSalle’s lone hits — both solidy struck — came from Joseph Fortuny, whose double hit the bottom of the fence in left field, and Hazday.

Mater Lakes tacked on an insurance run in the fifth when Nelson Williamson muscled an opposite-field RBI single on an 0-2 pitch. Williamson reached base three times, as hewas hit by pitches twice in his first two trips to the plate.

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