Mustangs down Alvarez 8-3 in TCAL opener
With perennial power Palma looming, Gilroy coach Clint Wheeler felt it was essential for the Mustangs to get off to a good start in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Once Kevin Grove settled down and threw strikes, and once Gilroy was able to measure David Valenzuela it was able to pull away from Alvarez for an 8-3 win in Salinas.
“It’s a great start to league,” Wheeler said. “We wanted to get off to a good start before Palma. They (Chieftains) are always among the top teams.”
The Mustangs (6-7 overall, 1-0 TCAL) got off to a slow start. After sophomore Charlie Duffy homered in the second inning, Alvarez (4-5, 0-1) forged ahead in their half by parlaying two walks and two hits into a pair of runs.
Jacob Dexter’s single drove in Matt Hemeon in the third to tie the game. Grove singled, stole second and scored on Lukas Fortino’s triple as the Mustangs took a 3-2 lead.
In the sixth, Roberto Celestino walked, Danny Contreras singled and both scored on Michael Stevens’ base hit.
Gilroy broke it open with three runs in the seventh. Dexter doubled, Osborne walked, Grove hit a two-run triple and Fortino followed with a run-scoring single.
Grove, meanwhile, settled down after a shaky second inning to pitch five solid frames, striking out four and walking two.
“As long as he throws strikes, he’s effective,” Wheeler said of Grove
“I was happy with our approach after the third inning. We zeroed in at the plate.”
The Mustangs had 11 hits, including four for extra bases. Fortino led the way by going 3 for 3 with a walk and two RBIs. Grove and Dexter each went 2 for 4.
“Our lineup is solid, one through nine,” Wheeler said. “Any one of them is capable of stepping up and having a big day.”
Dexter will be on the hill at 4pm Friday when Gilroy hosts Palma.
Gilroy 011 102 3 – 8 11 2
Alvarez 020 000 1 – 3 4 1
Grove, Stevens (6), Lafuente (7), Dexter (7) and Fortino. Valenzuela, Hewitt (7) and Blackwell. W-Grove. L-Valenzuela. 2B-GIL, Dexter. 3B-GIL, Grove, Fortino. HR-GIL, Duffy.
