MacArthur sets conference pace

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At the midway point of conference play, MacArthur is at the top of the baseball standings on the strength of solid pitching and defense.

The Generals entered the last week of April with a 6-2 mark in Nassau Conference AA-1 and 7-3 overall, and captured seven wins in their last nine following a season-opening loss to Syosset. A first place finish would give MacArthur a first round bye into the quarterfinals during the upcoming Class AA playoffs.

“Solid pitching and great defense have carried the way so far,” Generals coach Steve Costello said. “We still have a long way to go in terms of being the team we want to be.”

MacArthur has a deep pitching staff this season with five hurlers starting games so far. Jake Wall is 3-1 and tossed a no-hitter in 4-0 shutout against Long Beach on April 13. Mike Sivilli, Nick Mannarino and Bobby Lewis have also delivered wins on the mound.

“Our pitching has been very solid,” Costello said. “We have some good arms.”

MacArthur’s pitchers are getting help behind them defensively. Left fielder Mike Brown threw out two runners at the plate in the Generals’ 2-1 win against Mepham on April 16. Third baseman Jared Wolfe, catcher Matt McNally and center fielder Brandon Kustek have also displayed consistent play in the field.

Costello said despite a strong start, the bats have yet to awaken and more clutch hitting will be needed for MacArthur to advance far in the playoffs. MacArthur was held to four runs or less in six of its first 10 games.

Stepping up offensively has been Brian Quinn, who went 4-for-5 with five RBIs in a 16-5 romp against Herricks on April 15. Also coming through at the plate is senior Ryan Cunningham, who smacked a key two-run double during MacArthur’s 9-5 victory against Calhoun on April 6. Brian Perez has also been a top offensive performer and hit a fielder’s choice that scored Nick Pernice for the winning run in the triumph versus Mepham.

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