Gimenez, Kirkish, Mickartz rewarded for pitching prowess
GILROY – Following a staggered start to their season, the Mustang diamondmen finished strong with a 9-7 record down the stretch – including back-to-back wins over the T-CAL’s co-league champs Hollister and Live Oak to close out the year.
The late-season turnaround was fueled by Gilroy’s solid pitching staff – which was given its due when the All-League honors were handed down this week from the league coaches.
Senior pitcher Todd Gimenez – who started at first base when he wasn’t on the hill – was the Mustangs’ lone first-team All-League selection.
“He didn’t hit as well as he would like, but with everything else he did a great job,” said skipper Clint Wheeler of his senior leader. “He did everything we could ask as a pitcher and he played an excellent first base.”
The left-hander opened his senior campaign as the Mustangs’ top starter – but turned into the ball club’s closer and everyday first baseman later on in the season.
“It was unbelievable, especially with the quality starts we got from our other guys,” Wheeler said. “Bringing him in (to close things out), we knew it was a done deal.”
In addition to the league honors, Gimenez was named Gilroy High’s most valuable player.
The starting right-handed rotation of senior John Kirkish and sophomore Peter Mickartz anchored the Mustangs – keeping them in every game during the second-half of the season. Both arms were second-team All-League picks.
“(Kirkish) pitched great. He was unbelievable in his last four starts,” Wheeler said. “It was awesome. He played everywhere for us.”
Kirkish – who was also named the team’s most valuable pitcher – filled in at catcher while the team waited for junior Ben Hemeon to get done with the basketball season. When he was not on the rubber, Kirkish played every position in the field except shortstop and second base.
Mickartz got better and better as the season went on – keeping hitters honest with a nasty breaking ball to complement his heater. The sophomore still has two more years of varsity ball ahead of him.
“He struggled a lit bit early, but the second half he was just like Johnny. He carried us the last 15 games,” said Wheeler of Mickartz. “His fastball was clocked at 86 miles-per-hour and he had a great curveball… He’s got a big future here as long as he continues to work hard.”
The reason Kirkish never played shortstop was the emergence of sophomore infielder Jordan Newton – who was Gilroy’s third second-team All-League selection. In his first varsity season, Newton flashed a steady glove and managed 12 hits in the last five league games.
“I knew he’d play defense for us and I knew he would struggle at plate, but he turned it on,” Wheeler said. “He plays tough all the time.”
The Mustangs also generated two honorable mention All-Leaguers in brothers Richard and Ruben Chavez. While Richard played rightfield and some first base early on, Ruben started at third base, designated hitter and outfield. Richard also led the team in batting average – swinging for a .330 average.
“They definitely picked it up this year and rewarded for it,” said Wheeler of the Chavez boys.
Three Mustangs – senior outfielder Kyle Costa and senior second baseman Eric Gonzalez along with Newton – also received the league’s sportsmanship award.
There were four coaches awards handed down by the Gilroy High staff as well to the Chavez brothers, Mickartz and Gonzalez.
After a 1-9 start to the season, Gilroy finished 7-8 in T-CAL and 10-16 overall.
The most valuable player for the junior varsity squad was starting pitcher Armando Franco – who did see some action at the varsity level.
