Coach Buddy Matthews called Hoboken senior Sal Pagan the "star player" Monday, as he contributed on the mound and at the plate in the Redwings' 7-4 win over Marist High School (4-6) of Bayonne.
Pagan topped off a huge fifth inning with a three-run bomb over the right-field fence. The two-out shot gave Hoboken the lead for good. The Redwings improve to 4-5 on the season.
The Redwings struck first, scoring in the second inning when Travis Haber grounded into a double play with no outs and bases loaded. Hoboken led 1-0.
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The Royal Knights evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the fourth, on a solo home-run by Jose Gonzalez. The ball caught the wind, and carried over the fence to the tennis courts in right.
Hoboken took a commanding lead in the fifth, as Marist started Gonzalez started to struggle. Leading off, Haber was hit by a pitch, then advanced to third on two passed balls. Hipolito Aldea walked, to put runners on the corners. With Luis Morales at the plate, the two successfully executed a double steal, with Haber coming in to score. Hoboken led 2-1.
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Luis Morales walked, then Andres Flores singled to load the bases. With one out, Abe Groomes patiently took an RBI-walk, the fourth free pass in the inning. Marist switched pitchers, bringing in Joel Mercado.
Mercado nearly escaped the inning, getting Chris Morales to ground to short, but the shortstop's throw to first was not in time to complete the 6-4-3 double-play. It would've been Marist's third double-play of the game.
With Chris Morales safe at first and Flores at third, Pagan crushed the first pitch he saw.
The Redwings led 7-1.
Marist cut the lead in half with one out in the top of the sixth, stringing together two singles before Eduardo Sorondo sent a three-run homer to right.
The Redwings brought in Pagan to relieve starter Abe Groomes, and the senior pitcher held on to the lead for the final one and two-thirds innings. Pagan allowed no hits and walked one batter.
Winning pitcher Groomes is 2-1. On Monday, he walked four, struck out nine, and allowed four hits and four runs (three earned) over five and third innings.
At the plate, Pagan went 2-2 with three RBI; Chris Morales was 1-3 with an RBI.
The Redwings are on the road the remainder of the week, playing at North Bergen High on Wednesday; Hudson Catholic Friday and Sparta High School Saturday. The next home game is April 26 at 4:30 p.m. against Kearny High School.
