On paper, Gregorio Luperon is similar to the last three teams, successfully talented clubs that flamed out in the quarterfinals. This group is different in one way.
“The team has learned to play together; other times, kids were just playing and didn’t understand the concept of team,” Luperon coach Rico Pena said. “Everybody is chipping in. I’ve had 10 different lineups. Everybody has played everywhere.”
Together, the second-seeded Tigers avenged their quarterfinals ghosts with a 5-1 victory over No. 5 Queens HS of Teaching at South Shore HS Field Thursday afternoon. Radelky Bonilla went the distance for the victory and Luis Maldonado was the offensive hero, with two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the Tigers’ four-run fifth inning. Argenis Duran had two hits and Elvis Rogue scored twice.
Pena, the former JV baseball coach at Lehman, started the program at Luperon four years ago. He has led the Tigers to three Manhattan B North crowns in four years. Luperon went 14-0 in league play last year and 15-1 this spring. More important than any record is how the team has learned to play the game the right way – bunting runners over, hitting to the opposite field, throwing to the right base.
“The little things we didn’t do before the kids understand now and it’s helping us a lot,” Pena said. “They make a big difference.”
There aren’t any egos on Luperon (18-1), either. Rico has moved his players around constantly and rotated 12 position players into the starting lineup. The only players that began the season at their respective positions are catcher Eliseo Perez, Rogue, the second baseman, and shortstop Wagner Fernandez.
“It helps us out a lot,” the coach said. “When I need to make a move or somebody isn’t having a godo day, it’s not a big deal moving positions. I tell them compete against yourself in a good way and try to be one of those nine games who play, no matter where you play.”
Brooklyn Studio Secondary School 5, Juan Morel Campos 1: Chris Armento tossed five shutout innings of one-hit ball and struck out eight, Joe Gonzalez threw two shutout innings of relief and scored twice, and Joe Morales and Carlos Lopez each drove in a run for No. 4 Brooklyn Studio. The Knights (19-0) meet No. 1 Riverdale/Kingsbridge in the semifinals Sunday at noon at Moe Finkelstein Field in Brooklyn. Fifth-seeded Juan Morel Campus fell to 18-1.
Bronx Science 11, Washington Irving 7: The 19th-seeded Wolverines (13-6) magical playoff run continued with the victory over No. 6 Washington Irving (16-3), the Manhattan B South champion. Bronx Science will face No. 2 Gregorio Luperon in the semifinals Sunday at 3 p.m.
