MacArthur rolls into May

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Since back-to-back losses to open league play, MacArthur baseball found its form for the rest of April and is now set up for a run at a repeat Nassau County Class AA title.

The Generals won six of seven to close the month after dropping their first two Conference AA-III games to first place Calhoun. MacArthur entered the week 6-3 in the conference and within striking distance of winning the league title, which would earn the Generals a first round playoff bye.

“We have played well, but need to be more consistent offensively,” said 23rd-year MacArthur head coach Steve Costello. “We have room for improvement.”

MacArthur’s winning ways have been led largely by strong pitching. Junior Mike Sivilli closed April with a 0.05 earned run average and two complete game shutouts. He tossed a one-hitter with eight strikeouts in a 5-0 win against Valley Stream Central on April 26 as part of a three-game sweep. Costello has been impressed with Sivilli’s control and pointed to how in 71 pitches in that April 26 win, 54 were strikes.

“He has been lights out,” Costello said of Sivilli. “It’s a very comfortable day for a coach when he pitches.”

The Generals have also gotten solid pitching from junior Bobby Lewis, who tossed a six-inning shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 9-0 win against Valley Stream Central to open last week’s three-game series. J.T. Carroll and Michael Andreoli, have also stepped in as starting pitchers and the Generals with a deep staff have used eight hurlers total on the mound. The team ERA at the close of April was 1.71 with 90 strikeouts, according to Costello.

“The pitching has been very solid,” Costello said. “I’m very happy with our pitching.”

Leadoff hitter Justin Norcini has led the General offense. The senior closed a hot month of April with a .514 batting average, a .646 on-base percentage and 16 runs scored.

“It’s one of the best offensive years of any player I have coached,” Costello said. “He has been outstanding.”

Center fielder Marc Arboleda has also stepped up hitting in the number three spot in the batting order with a .432 average. He also showed power with a grand slam in an 8-2 non-league victory over Plainview JFK last Friday.

Costello also credits sturdy defensive play for MacArthur’s strong start. Senior first baseman Matt DeBlaiso has solidified the right side of the infield with some spectacular plays to save some runs.

“He has been great for us over there,” Costello said of DeBlaiso. “It’s a big advantage for us having him there.”

MacArthur closes a three-game series against Great Neck South at home Thursday before finishing the regular season next week versus Long Beach. The Generals can earn a first round bye into the quarterfinals by finishing in first place or being the best second-place team in the three Conference AA leagues.