GHS baseball team off to best start in five seasons after 8-2
victory over Hollister
GILROY – The Mustang diamondmen are simply having fun every time they step out on the field, and that has translated into a promising start to their season.
“We’re finally getting older. The sophomores are juniors now and we’re just having fun,” said starting pitcher Peter Mickartz, who struck out seven over six innings to earn the win in Friday’s 8-2 nod over Hollister.
“We’ve still got a long, long way to go, but we’re taking the steps to get there,” the junior right-hander added. “Today, definitely was a step forward. We’re finally starting to come around.”
In Friday’s home game against defending co-league champion San Benito, which beat them 3-1 two days earlier in Hollister, the Mustangs remained relaxed and composed. After exchanging runs in the opening inning and falling behind by one prior to taking its second at-bats, Gilroy connected for two runs in the second, one in the third, and three in the fourth to pull away.
“It was night and day as far as our approach. It showed at the plate and on the mound,” said head coach Clint Wheeler, whose squad is off to its best start under his five-year reign with an 8-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in league. “We’re usually a second-half team. Hopefully, we can be a first- and second-half team.”
Senior Ben Hemeon put on another powerful display at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a two-run double to deep left-center field in the fourth inning. Hemeon has four doubles, a triple, and a home run since joining the team after basketball season.
“I’m just seeing it well,” Hemeon said. “I wasn’t sure (about how well we would do) after basketball because they were all young. Luckily, they are coming along fast. … If we come out and play hard everyday, we have a chance at winning.”
The Mustangs scored eight runs on nine hits, while Mickartz kept the Haybalers quiet, giving up only two runs in the first two innings and scattering four hits.
“I’m a lot more confident. I just try to stay relaxed and mix it up,” Mickartz said. “Defensively, I’m not worrying about striking everyone out and just letting them hit the ball. It’s a lot easier to pitch with a lead than in a tie game or even from behind.”
Hollister (5-6 overall, 1-3 in T-CAL) got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning, but Gilroy answered with one of its own in the bottom half of the inning. The Haybalers reclaimed the lead with another run in the second, but once again the Mustangs responded with a pair of runs to take a 3-2 edge. From there on, Mickartz kept Hollister off the base paths.
“We always say he’s a slow starter, but this was his best start all year,” said Wheeler of Mickartz. “Hopefully, he can keep it going the next seven starts.”
The bats backed Mickartz up and continued to stretch the lead. With runners on first and second with one out in the second inning, senior Ron Colmon poked an RBI double down the first-base line. Sophomore catcher Chris Hernandez kept the rally going with an RBI single to right field to give Gilroy the lead for good.
“We have some guys who can handle the bat,” Wheeler said. “They are not afraid to drag bunt. … and hit-and-run. They definitely control their bats pretty well.”
In the third inning with runners at the corners and one out, junior Carlos Garcia punched a sacrifice fly to right field to extend to a two-run advantage. The Mustangs clubbed away in the fourth frame with Hemeon’s two-run double followed by a Mark Gonzalez sacrifice fly to score another run.
“It’s a lot more fun. We just have a bunch of good guys to be around,” said Hemeon, whose offensive production is a testament to his dedication in the weight room. “I try to go as much as I can.”
Gilroy picked up its eighth run in the sixth inning when Gonzalez hit an RBI single with runners at the corners and one out.
Garcia stepped on the hill for the Mustangs in the seventh inning, and retired the Haybalers in order, including a game-ending strikeout.
“I got five guys who can pitch at the CCS level. If they continue to do well, we can get a high seed in CCS and not have to face a West Catholic in the first round. We’ll be fine.”
Wheeler said he worked his players extra hard the day after losing to Hollister on Wednesday and paid off with a strong effort on Friday.
“We really got after them and made them work,” Wheeler said.
The Mustangs will continue their Tri-County Athletic League schedule with a two-game set against Palma on March 24 at home and on March 27 on the road. Both games will begin at 3:30 p.m.
