READING — Behind a dazzling pitching performance from Aiven Cabral, the St. Mary’s baseball team quieted the bats of previously undefeated Catholic Central League rival Austin Prep in a 3-0 win on the road Monday afternoon. The win gives the Spartans a season split with the Cougars after Austin Prep won the first meeting on May 15.
Cabral pitched a complete-game shutout for the Spartans, allowing just three hits while walking two and striking out nine.
Terence Moynihan led the offensive attack for St. Mary’s, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Lucas Fritz went 1-for-2 with one RBI, while Colby Magliozzi (1-for-3, double), Tad Giardina (1-for-3) and Deniel Ortiz (1-for-3) each had one hit.
The Spartans couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. A walk and two singles loaded up the bases in the top of the first, and Moynihan got St. Mary’s on the board with a big two-run double to left field. Fritz ended up knocking Moynihan home two batters later, and the Spartans took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the first.
Cabral took over from there, cruising through the first 4 2/3 innings without giving up a hit. Ernie Little broke up the no-hitter with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but Cabral struck out the next batter to escape unscathed.
Austin Prep threatened again in the bottom of the sixth after moving a runner to third base with no outs, but Cabral quickly notched a strikeout before forcing back-to-back flyouts to escape the inning with no damage once again.
The Cougars brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but once again Cabral remained solid. He struck out the side to seal the win and the shutout.
St. Mary’s (7-5) is right back in action Tuesday (3:30) on the road at Archbishop Williams.
