Gilroy High’s varsity baseball team was down for half an inning
Tuesday before putting the visiting Alvarez Eagles down for
good.
Gilroy High’s varsity baseball team was down for half an inning Tuesday before putting the visiting Alvarez Eagles down for good.
Trailing 3-0 after the first half of the first frame, the Mustangs spent the next three innings trotting around the basepaths to go up 13-3 before the game was called following the top of the fifth.
“That’s what I was telling these guys (after the game),” Gilroy coach Clint Wheeler said, “We overcame a lot today.”
It was the second victory over Alvarez in four days for the Mustangs, which outscored the Eagles by a combined total of 26-3 in the two contests.
Wheeler planned on using several pitchers on Tuesday afternoon, and did just that. James Lafuente got the start for Gilroy and was taken out after giving up three runs in the first. Chris Salter came on in relief to start the second, pitching three scoreless innings while only giving up two hits. Having his offense already better the Eagles’ run total by a run, 4-3, before he even entered the contest, added to Salter’s comfort level.
“It’s a big help because then you know you can go out there and throw strikes,” Salter said after the game.
Jordan Holler pitched the final inning for Gilroy, allowing only one hit.
The Mustangs’ offense was ignited in the first inning by leadoff hitter Danny Contreras, who smacked a ball over the wall to cut the deficit to 3-1. Taylor Chris followed with a walk before scoring on a Charlie Duffy double. Kevin Grove then got on base through a walk of his own before Holler brought both runners across the plate with a triple – his second of the season.
Offensively, the second and third innings were equally effective as Gilroy gained a commanding lead. The Mustangs scored on a ground-out by Roberto Celestino that brought Contreras home from third after the centerfielder stole second and third base. Chris, who got on base by a walk and stole second before moving to third on Celestino’s out, scored on a wild pitch a batter later, giving Gilroy a 6-3 lead.
Duffy was the next man in the order, hitting a single to right field before coming home on the following at-bat – a home run blasted over the left field wall by Grove.
The hit was as important for the individual as it was the team.
“It definitely felt good,” Grove said. “I’ve been struggling (at the plate) a bit lately.
“For our team in general, I think this was our best game so far.”
The Mustangs’ home run hitters, Contreras and Grove (Gilroy’s right fielder), both played excellent on defense as well, with each snagging fly balls on diving catches.
Leading 8-3 after two and a half innings, Gilroy’s offense provided five insurance runs in the bottom of the third, which helped end the game in the bottom of the fifth due to the 10-run mercy rule. Derek Engen singled before Jose Gamboa and Contreras walked, loading the bases with one out. Chris then drew a walk, bringing a run home, before Duffy was hit by a pitch with two outs to push the score 10-3.
Grove then proved his swing is officially back by crushing another pitch to left-center field – only this time the ball dropped just in front of the fence. Grove stopped at second base as all three runners scored, giving Gilroy a 13-3 advantage that would not be diminished.
The Mustangs have now won five-straight games to push their record to 5-4, 4-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League. Alvarez dropped to 2-7-2 overall, 0-2 TCAL.
Gilroy’s next game will be Thursday at 4 p.m. when the Mustangs play host to Salinas (6-2 overall, 2-0 TCAL as of Monday).
