ANAHEIM – Manager Johnny Ramirez knew he was leading the Gilroy
High baseball team into a whale of a tournament at the OC Nissan
Select Invitational this week.
The Mustangs are 0-2 so far and need two straight wins to keep
the tournament going. They play Yorba Linda today at 3 p.m. in
Anaheim.
ANAHEIM – Manager Johnny Ramirez knew he was leading the Gilroy High baseball team into a whale of a tournament at the OC Nissan Select Invitational this week.
“Holy Cow,” Ramirez said in a phone interview Tuesday. “These guys can swing the bat down here. It’s just a whole different ball game out here in Southern California.”
The Mustangs have encountered some stiff competition thus far, and despite two tough losses to open tournament play – 20-4 to Ocean View on Saturday and 7-6 to El Segundo on Monday – Ramirez is pleased with his team’s effort during the learning experience.
“It’s fun, it’s making our pitchers very competitive,” Ramirez said. “The first game was just rough for us. I don’t know if we were tired from the trip, but (Monday) showed that we could play with these guys. The kids are getting experience and it’s elevating my coaching also. You have to play at a different level. You can’t take a play off.”
A balk call on sophomore Bubu Garcia in the bottom of the seventh gave El Segundo the victory Monday.
“I’m still not sure what he called,” Ramirez said.
The Mustangs had tied the contest in the top of the seventh.
Jordan Dexter is 5-for-8 in the two games, Eric Vegas is 4-for-7 and Garcia is 4-for-8. Jordan Holler, who returned to action last week After missing the first eight games of the year with an injury, has added a different dynamic at the top of the order for Ramirez. Holler has eight stolen bases in nine attempts in the two games.
“Jordan Dexter has been on fire for us ever since we got here,” Ramirez said. “Jordan Holler is a difference maker for us.”
At 0-2, the Mustangs are still alive in the consolation bracket but will need to win their next two games in order to keep their tournament life afloat.
Gilroy plays Yorba Linda today at 3 p.m. The tournament continues Thursday with the opponent and start time to be determined.
