His team had just run-ruled Everett Alvarez for its fourth straight win by 10 or more runs.
Gilroy High baseball coach Billy Holler had reason to smile as he surveyed the field following his team’s 11-1, five-inning victory over the visiting Eagles on March 15.
“The boys,” Holler said, “are playing the best baseball I’ve seen them play in years.”
It wasn’t so long ago that the Mustangs didn’t have much to smile about.
Gilroy endured a 5-17 season last year, including a 3-15 trudge through league play.
But heading into today’s Monterey Bay League Pacific Division showdown at Seaside, the Mustangs (8-1-1, 6-0) are in first place. And it hasn’t been close – Gilroy has won its six league games by a combined score of 72-11.
The what-a-difference-a-year-makes theme isn’t hard to figure out for senior right fielder and pitcher Jalynd Gallardo.
“We’re working as a team, as a family,” Gallardo said. “Last year, everyone was out there trying to hit home runs for themselves, get their RBIs instead of helping the team out as a whole to win games.”
Senior center fielder and pitcher Brendan Holler agreed.
“Last year, everyone played as individuals,” he said. “This year, we’re more of a team, one group. It feels great to be playing this well.
“We work great as a team. No one really has any problems with anyone on this team.”
Holler, the coach’s son, has been a catalyst behind the success. See the win over Alvarez.
Holler (2-0) pitched a five-inning two-hitter for his second complete-game win of the season. The leadoff man also crushed a two-run home run as part of a 3-for-3 day with three runs scored, and finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
The right-hander is part of a deep pitching staff that also showcases Justin Hale (3-0), Gallardo (1-0), Marcus Medina (1-1) and Mark Kinoshita (1-0).
The Mustangs also own a potent lineup, having scored 59 runs in their past four games.
First baseman Ron Reed, the team’s No. 3 hitter, has seven multi-hit games. The senior is batting .621 with eight runs scored and 17 RBIs.
Junior shortstop Bubba Lara is hitting .423 with four doubles and eight RBIs, and Holler is batting .406 with 15 stolen bases.
“I knew they were good baseball players,” Billy Holler said. “They just had a tough year last year.
“Our pitching is real good. They’re very consistent. And hitting is through the roof – they’re all making really good contact with the ball.”
The stat sheet proves the coach correct.
Gilroy also has gotten consistent production from cleanup hitter Gallardo (.308 batting average, six runs, five RBIs), third baseman Medina (.333, 10 runs, eight RBIs), left fielder Dallas Wilson (.429, seven runs, four RBIs), center fielder Joe Vanni (.348, six runs, four RBIs), catcher Sam Aptekar (.353, five runs, six RBIs) and second baseman Alex Vega (.353, five runs).
“Up and down the lineup, I’m never afraid to put any player in,” coach Holler said. “They’re all capable of doing the job. I’m blessed.”
Reed felt the Mustangs could compete from the beginning.
“Considering the season we had last year, it’s more than we could have asked for to start off like this,” Reed said. “But as far as the team, I knew from the beginning that we’d be good. Not just the seniors, but some of the underclassmen, they hit the ball and their heads are on straight.”
Despite the success, Gallardo said the team’s goals haven’t changed.
“(Goals) definitely were to get into the playoffs and win this league, and we’re on track to do both those things,” Gallardo said. “Now we have to focus on keeping our heads on straight.”
Focus shouldn’t be a problem, Reed said.
“A lot of people, they doubted us coming off last year’s season,” Reed said. “But we proved a lot of people wrong so far, and we plan on continuing to.”
