Forest Hill Scores Sole Run In Victory Over Boynton

Forest Hill Falcons catcher Manny Bejerano.

Forest Hill made one run stand up in a tightly played, 1-0 non-district victory against Boynton Beach at Forest Hill’s Jim Heaton Field Thursday.

The Falcon’s Jose Torres led off the decisive bottom of the third. He laid down a perfect bunt that could only be fielded by the first baseman who waved at Torres as he whisked safely by him. Torres stole second as two foul fly balls to Lewandowski brought up Josh Katinger with two out. Katinger came through, cracking a single and driving in Torres for the only run of the game.

“I hit a fastball on the outer part of the plate and took it to left field,” said Katinger. “It felt tremendous. We’re a great team with great potential. I don’t think there’s a team out there that we can’t compete with.”

In a game marked by strong pitching from both teams, it came down to good defense against even better defense.

The Tigers have yet to commit an error in six games this season. The Falcons haven’t been as efficient, but their catcher, Manny Bejerano, has a streak of his own. In each game so far, Bejerano has picked off at least one opposing baserunner. His strong arm was critical in two plays that would doom the Tigers’ most promising scoring opportunities.

“I just want to try and help out my pitchers to win, doing anything I can,” said Bejerano. “I’m glad our team played well and to go out and get our next victory.”

The Tigers’ Derrick Lewandowski singled to lead off the third inning, moving up on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Perez. A walk to Jonathan Perez and Kaelin Dunn’s single loaded the bases. Falcons starting pitcher Hector Perdigon fielded a chopper and fed the ball to Bejerano, whose throw to Raymond Sanchez at first completed the 1-2-3, inning-ending double play.

In the fourth, play was stopped for several minutes after Bejerano caught a foul tip on his thumb. Staying in the game, he had already thrown behind the runner at second three times. On his fourth try, he got his man.

The Tigers’ Robbie Santiago doubled with one out in the sixth. Rutger Spartz dropped a flare in front of onrushing centerfielder Jose Torres, forcing Santiago to hold at second. Reliever Juan Iglesias’ next pitch got away just far enough for the runners to stray off base. Bejerano stepped as if to throw behind the runner at first, then pivoted and threw a strike to second, picking off a surprised lead runner. A pop fly to Sanchez ended that inning.

Boynton Beach second baseman Robbie Santiago moments before doubling in the sixth inning.

Perdigon, pitched 4.2 innings of shutout ball, stepping aside for the designated closer Iglesias after the Tigers’ Jonathan Perez and David Recio singled with two out in the fifth. Iglesias closed the door, striking out the next batter swinging.

“Most important, we had great pitching tonight, and the pitchers’ fielding work we’ve been putting in paid off,” said Forest Hill Manager Russ Milliken. “That was a well-played ball game on both sides; it was hit or miss for both teams. We were fortunate to come out on top.”

The Falcons threatened in the bottom of the second inning. A single and a steal of second by Cory Mahoney, Rafael DeBrand being struck by a pitch and a walk to Kylan Barnett loaded the bases with two out. A well-struck drive by Jorge Hernando was tracked down by the left fielder, Kaelin Dunn.

The Falcons looked for insurance in the sixth. Bejerano singled, advancing to second on Katinger’s sacrifice bunt. A one-hopper to the pitcher, who never looked Bejerano back to second, recorded the second out. As if irked by his momentary lapse of aggressiveness, Bejerano took off for third before pitcher Luke Comerford started his delivery. Arriving safely without a throw, Bejerano ended up stranded as Comerford responded by striking out the next batter.

Starting for the fourth time in six games, Comerford went the distance. He gave up just five hits, two walks, five strikeouts and a hit batsman.

“We’re still young, with many freshmen and sophomores,” said Boynton Beach Manager John Drouin. “We’re still working to find a consistent lineup that we can build on. But we’re getting there.”

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