The Junior Varsity Baseball Team displayed team effort by playing a gritty, inspired brand of baseball to end the 2018 baseball season on a two-game winning streak. The JV Hurricanes beat The San Miguel School 5-1 at Heinz Field on Thursday, May 24, and finished the season the next day with a dominant 6-2 victory over Providence Country Day in East Providence.
In the victory over San Miguel, the team was backed by a solid pitching effort from starter James Arnott, setting the tone for the first two innings, and reliever Sam Stockman. The duo pounded the zone with fastballs, and combined for 10 strikeouts, while surrendering five hits, and only one run.
The play of the game was made by second baseman Ezrah Murray, who turned a nifty double play, snagging a line drive and then throwing to first baseman Fisher Johnston, catching a San Miguel runner napping. Murray’s play prevented San Miguel from tying the game at two in the fourth inning. Centerfielder Hector Munoz also made a nice catch on a ball belted to the deep part of the outfield.
The ‘Canes offense was sparked by ringing doubles from Stockman (2 RBI/2 steals) and Munoz (1 RBI). Stockman led the offensive assault, walking three times before belting his double to deep left field, while also scoring two runs in the game.
In the finale against PCD, Arnott took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, striking out 17 batters while relinquishing only two hits in the game. The Knights’ lineup was stymied by Arnott’s blazing fastball, until their leadoff hitter blooped a single to right in the fifth after Arnott had struck out the first two batters. The team’s assistant captain and catcher, Auggie Lambert, caught a solid game behind home plate.
The offense was once again led by Stockman and Munoz, who each netted two hits, one RBI and one run scored. Arnott helped his own cause by belting an RBI double, knocking in Munoz in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. The JV Hurricanes added four runs in the second frame, and never looked back.
It was a good season for the JV Hurricanes, as they practiced hard, developed their skills, and evolved from the first pitch of the season to the last.