Brother Martin, Darrah beat Rummel, Arencibia

The odds were certainly against Brother Martin on Saturday night against Archbishop Rummel.

The Crusaders were playing their second district game in as many days and their third game in four days against very good District 9-5A competition.

Additionally, the Crusaders turned to a pitcher who had thrown just three innings all season against the best pitcher in the metro area in Tulane signee Giancarlo Arencibia, who came into the game with a 19-inning scoreless streak.

Ryan Darrah was unfazed and so was Brother Martin.

Darrah, who had pitched just three innings all season, pitched a complete game three-hitter, outdueling Arencibia in a 3-1 victory at Mike Miley Stadium.

Darrah used just 82 pitches as Rummel swung early and often in unsuccessful fashion. Darrah walked three and struck out, including the final three hitters of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning to finish it off in grand fashion. Darrah helped himself with two singles and an RBI.

“It was a great win,” Darrah said. “I knew I had a great team behind me. I’m not really a pitcher. Brady McCluskey, a freshman, he really had my back and I’m so proud of him. Brody Shannon, another freshman, stepped up big when we needed him at shortstop. I was truly grateful.”

Brother Martin snapped Tulane signee Arencibia’s scoreless streak immediately, scoring in the top of the first inning on a leadoff walk to Stan Wiltz, a single by Darrah and a two-out, RBI single by Cole Navarro to take a 1-0 lead.

Rummel tied it in the bottom of the first inning on a leadoff triple by Ruben Ramirez and a sacrifice fly by Gavin Kennedy.

The Raiders loaded the bases in the top of the third inning but Kennedy flew out into a double play to end the threat.

Brother Martin took the lead in the fifth inning on a two-out, two base error on a dropped fly ball and an RBI single by Darrah to make it 2-1.

The Crusaders got an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a leadoff walk to Egan Prather and a stolen base by courtesy runner Gavin Berry, who advanced to third on a throwing error. Berry scored on another error to make it 3-1.

“Our kids were outstanding,” Brother Martin coach Jeff Lupo said. “They really competed from the first pitch. We overcame a couple of mistakes early but that’s what good teams do. We were very fortunate to capitalize on a mistake and got a big two-out hit. We did that twice. Ryan was outstanding on the mound to say the least.”

Arencibia pitched six innings, allowing three runs, only one earned, on six hits. He walked two and struck out 10, pitching well enough to win. Coleman Capaci pitched the final inning.

“We couldn’t handle the pressure,” Rummel coach Frank Cazeaux said. “I thought we melted. I felt we had opportunities and no one stepped up. We did not make the plays, Brother Martin made the plays and played well and pitched well. We have to play better on Tuesday.”

The two teams meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium as the second part of a doubleheader you can watch live on CrescentCitySports.com. The first game is the second game of the series between Holy Cross and Jesuit at 4 p.m. The Tigers blanked the Blue Jays 4-0 Saturday afternoon.

FINAL
B. Martin 100 010 1 3 6 0, 7 LOB
Rummel 100 000 0 1 3 3, 4 LOB
WP—Ryan Darrah (2-0)
LP—Giancarlo Arencibia (5-2)
Time of Game: 1:57
SB—Joel Morange
2B—Joel Morange, Evan Burg
3B—Ruben Ramirez