Non-league opponent Santa Cruz posted three runs in the bottom
of the seventh to erase a Mustangs’ two-run advantage for a 7-6
victory in opening round play of the Serra Classic on Monday.
At this point, if it’s not one thing, it’s the other for the Gilroy High baseball team.
For the second game in a row, the Mustangs out hit an opponent but fell short on the score board and four errors disrupted an otherwise solid outing.
Non-league opponent Santa Cruz posted three runs in the bottom of the seventh to erase a Mustangs’ two-run advantage for a 7-6 victory in opening round play of the Serra Classic on Monday.
GHS has lost four of its last seven games.
All nine Mustangs (12-9 overall, 8-7 Tri-County Athletic League) registered at least one hit in the ball game, six of which had at least two hits, to pile up 15 as a team.
“We can hit with anybody,” GHS manager Johnny Ramirez said. “Our Achilles’heel this year – last two innings making errors. All at the wrong time.”
Reed Kienle, Matt Bartholic, Peter Palma, Eric Vegas and Brendon Holler all had a pair of base knocks while Jordan Dexter put together a 3-for-4 afternoon.
Santa Cruz snuffed out a GHS 1-0 lead with a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth. The Mustangs, though, planted two runs in their following at-bats to retake the lead 3-2. Santa Cruz answered with one in the bottom of the fifth and two in the bottom of the sixth to push GHS against the ropes 4-3 heading into the final frame.
The Mustangs assessed the challenge and proceeded to post three tallies and the 6-4 lead. However, the situation unraveled and Santa Cruz trumped Gilroy’s efforts for the victory.
GHS resumes tournament play against Bishop O’Dowd at the College of San Mateo.
