TERRA Takes Early Lead In 6A-16 With Win Over Mater
Frankie Bartow threw a complete game for the Wolves.
TERRA Institute and new Manager Ernie Padron are trying to build a perennial powerhouse in Dade County. One way to make a reputation as a team is to defeat teams that are already considered to be at the top of the mountain. On Thursday afternoon, the Wolves did just that, taking down district rival and defending 6A state champion Mater Academy, 6-2.
The win was TERRA’s second in a row against a defending state champ, having taken down 7A champion American on Saturday.
“They’re excited,” said Padron of his teams string of wins. “I told them they have until 10 PM tonight to enjoy this win, and then it is time to turn the page, because we have another game tomorrow against a good Braddock team.”
The excitement started early for the Wolves in this one. After starting pitcher Frankie Bartow shut down the Lions in order in the first, TERRA quickly made an offensive statement. Yasser Santana led off the inning with a double, and promptly stole third. Nick Lopez drove in Yasser with the game’s first run on a groundout to the shortstop. After a second quick out, it appeared that Mater starter Luis Labarta would escape further damage.
A walk, and an infield error, however, opened the door for a big inning. Luca Perez walked to load the bases, and Alec Ulloa delivered the big blow, a full count, bases-clearing double down the left-field line. Kiki Perez followed with an RBI double of his own, and suddenly the Wolves had a 5-0 lead after the first frame.
“Yasser got that whole inning going with that leadoff double,” said Ulloa. “When I came up, I was looking away, because he was working us away early. But when it got to a full count, he came in on me, and luckily I was able to put a good swing on it and hit it down the line.”
Luis Labarta started on the hill for the Lions.
The five run lead was more than enough for Bartow, who had the Lions off balance through the first five innings. The senior acknowledged that pitching with a big lead helped him on this day.
“I was mixing my pitches well,” said Bartow. “They are a great hitting team, and we knew we were going to have to play our best game to be able to compete. When the guys put up five runs in the first, that allowed me to relax and just hit my spots, and I was able to do that for the most part.”
Mater hitters eventually made adjustments, getting to Bartow in the sixth. After two outs to start the inning, Daniel Reyes singled, Christian Cabrera doubled in Reyes, and Deyvid Silva followed with an RBI single, cutting the lead to 6-2. After a walk to Joey Jimenez, Bartow was able to bear down and get a big strikeout to end the threat.
“That was a gutsy inning for Frankie,” said Padron. “They are a very good hitting team, and you have to be perfect with pitch location to consistently get them out. In the sixth, he came up with some big pitches after they put a few guys on base.”
In the seventh, the Lions made one last comeback attempt, putting two runners on base for Reyes, who hit a bullet at Santana at short. The senior made the one-hop stab as he fell to the ground, and forced Tyler Perez at second base to end the game.
The win gave TERRA the early lead in a loaded 6A-16 district, and even with two straight wins over state champions, Padron knows that nothing has been accomplished yet.
Alec Ulloa had a three-run double in the first.
“It was a nice win, but it’s just one game,” said Padron. “There are no big wins in February. The big wins come down the road and at playoff time. We know that, and we know it is a long season and that this team we played today will be back. They are well-coached, and are a good ball club. So we will enjoy this today, and get back to work tomorrow.”
For Mater, it was their first loss since last April. The team had won their first four games this year after rolling off seven in a row to end their state championship run in 2014. With every loss comes a learning opportunity.
“We told the guys they waited too long to make adjustments today, and you can’t do that against good teams,” said Lions Manager Mike DiRosa. “You always want to win games and then teach your guys a lesson, so we would have preferred a win. But hopefully this loss makes us stronger as the season goes on.”
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