Boys Varsity Baseball Defeats Hudson Catholic

The Hoboken High School varsity baseball team started the season off with an exciting win over rival Hudson Catholic Regional High School yesterday afternoon. The weather was perfect for baseball, and more than a hundred fans came out to support the team.

Hudson Catholic scored right off the bat, on a throwing error in the first inning.

The game remained close with a scoreless second inning. The Redwings held Hudson Catholic scoreless again in the third. In the bottom half of the inning, Luis Morales notched Hoboken's first hit of the game, then crossed the plate on a two-RBI double by Sal Pagan. Hoboken never reliquished the lead.

Starting pitcher Pagan went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs. On the mound, Pagan threw 102 pitches over six innings. He struck out six, walked two and allowed two hits. Justin Arocho was also 2-3 with two RBIs, both on a hit in the fifth inning.

Coach Buddy Matthews said pitching was the key to Thursday's victory.

"The pitching came up big. Sal Pagan threw a gem for six strong innings," said Matthews. "Then sophomore Kenny Roder came in and shut them down, one-two-three, in the seventh."

Matthews is taking the strong performances by Pagan and Roder as an indication of what's to come this season. "It's very encouraging when the pitching starts out so good," Matthews said.

The varsity squad is looking to improve on last season's 15-13 finish. Matthews said he expects a "good game" in their next match-up, on the road Saturday against Holmdel High School.