Malverne baseball was simply dominant in its rubber match against Valley Stream South, as the host Mules won 11-1 in five innings on April 21.
The game ball from this comprehensive win went to Yadier Tavarez, who not only got on base in both of his at-bats, but also was nearly untouchable on the mound, ceding a single run in what was a complete game.
Malverne coach Joe Dunn knew this type of performance was possible for Tavares, it just came down to him finding the zone. “Yadier was pumping the zone throwing strikes,” Dunn said. “He didn’t walk anyone. We told him before the game, if you just throw strikes then we are going to win the game.”
Lucky for Tavares and the Mules as a whole, his pitching performance was complemented with plenty of run support. Every starter for the Mules got on base at least once, which is more impressive considering only a few kids hit more than twice due to the condensed game as a result of a 10-run lead after five innings.
The big inning came in the fourth, where the Mules scored six runs. Tavares led off with a walk, and then Parker Mercado, Liam Flynn, Matt Merkel, Matt McKeon and Keondre Greene each reached base safely. No single player had a shot or hit more impressive than the other, but the group’s comprehensive ability to make contact and get on base was the catalyst for the monster inning. Greene also had the ‘walk off’ hit in the fifth inning, as this RBI knock clinched the run margin needed for a mercy rule.