MacArthur bests VSC for conference title

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Two Nassau Class AA playoff-bound baseball teams needed an extra inning to decide the winner in the final game of the regular season on May 13, with MacArthur High School defeating Valley Stream Central, 6-5, in Levittown.

Valley Stream, which is making its first playoff appearance in a dozen seasons, put up two runs in the first on a Mike Ciullo double, and another two runs in the second. MacArthur fought back to within a run with a pair of RBI singles by left fielder Brian Quinn and right fielder Vin Martino in third. The Generals took a 5-4 lead in the fourth.

The Eagles fought back in the top of the seventh, as shortstop Elijah Tavarez led off with a single, stole second, and scored on a single by Hofstra-bound Vito Friscia. Central’s catcher has been scouted by Major League teams this season.

Relief pitcher Cain Ruiz overcame a hit batter, an error and a wild play which led to the potential winning run being gunned down at home to keep the score tied and send the game to extra innings. The Eagles were unable to score in the eighth, and MacArthur plated the winning run as first baseman Ryan Cunningham walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Quinn’s single.

The Generals (14-5 overall, 13-4 in league play) celebrated near second base, even though the game had no impact on the standings. “Walk-offs are fun,” coach Steve Costello said. “Winning is better than losing.”

With the Conference AA-III championship in hand, MacArthur secured a first-round playoff bye. The Generals have not missed the playoffs in more than 20 years and began this week’s quarterfinal series against Calhoun at home on Monday, after press time.

Costello said the hitters have been taking their best and most consistent at-bats in the past few games, which bodes well for a playoff run. This year’s key contributors, he said, were Cunningham, Quinn, shortstop Brian Perez, third-baseman Jared Wolfe and top pitcher Jack Wall.

He said team speed and an ability to put pressure on other teams by playing small ball was key to MacArthur’s success this season against strong competition. “It was a tough league,” he said. “I feel like we really battled.”

Central coach Frank Alesia said ending the team’s playoff drought was the goal for this year. The lineup was led by Friscia and Ciullo, and the pitching staff by ace Tavarez and the regular-season finale starter Dan Egan.

“I think this is one of the best seasons we’ve had in a long time,” Alesia said. “Everybody bought in.”

Alesia said that the team has many talented players, and the ability to play well together was going to determine how far the Eagles (11-8 overall, 9-8 in league play) would go. “It was everyone thinking a little less of themselves,” he said, “and more for their teammates.”

With a senior-heavy team, Central will lose nine players, including seven starters next year. Last Saturday, the Eagles won their first playoff game in 13 years, 2-1, at Port Washington, and advanced to meet No. 1 East Meadow in the quarterfinals.