Defending NHSI Champion Mater Dei Edges Lexington 1-0

Cary, N.C. -- Aaron Cross worked out of a seventh inning jam and Ryan McMahon drove in the game's only run in the first inning helping Mater Dei to a 1-0 win over Lexington in quarterfinal action at the USA  Baseball National High School Invitational at USA Baseball Complex on Thursday.
 
Lexington had its nine game winning streak snapped and fell to 11-2.  The Monarchs, the defending NHSI champion, improved to 8-1. The Wildcats will play third round action on Friday.  The opponent and time will be announced later
today.
 
In the bottom of the first, Jeremy Martinez singled with two outs and scored on McMahon's double to left center.
 
The Wildcats threatened in the top of the seventh inning. Cole McMillan, who went 2-for-3, had a leadoff single to center and moved to second on David Barboza's sacrifice bunt. Jordan Buster singled to left center putting runners at first and third with one out.  Cross escaped when Cody Smith lined into a double play at third base to end the game.
 
Cross (3-0) picked up the win allowing six hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Buster (1-1) was the tough-luck loser surrendering a run on six hits over four innings.
 
Ryan Brown and Nick Ciuffo extended their hitting streaks to 12 games with first inning singles.
 
Mater Dei 1, Lexington 0
 
Score by Innings                  R  H  E
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Lexington........... 000 000 0 -  0  7  0
Mater Dei........... 100 000 X -  1  8  0
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WP – Aaron Cross (3-0). LP – Jordan Buster (1-1).
Hitters: Lexington; Cole McMillan 2-3.
Records: Lexington 11-2, Mater Dei 8-1.