Gilroy
– Neither Gilroy nor Aragon High had many chances to score
during Tuesday’s season opener. But Gilroy caught a break in the
eighth inning to walk away with a 1-0 victory.
Gilroy – Neither Gilroy nor Aragon High had many chances to score during Tuesday’s season opener. But Gilroy caught a break in the eighth inning to walk away with a 1-0 victory.
“We hit the ball hard, but we just have to figure out how to get guys across,” said GHS coach Clint Wheeler. “I wasn’t too upset with our few hits, because those guys all throw pretty well. I thought we did a pretty good job for the first time out.”
Gilroy’s Roberto Celestino, who was on base three of four times, including a double to right in the first inning, drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. He was moved around with a sacrifice bunt by Michael Stevens and a sacrifice fly by Tyler Osbourne. He scored the game’s only run off a passed ball.
“Coach told me to be aggressive, so I was leaning off the base,” Celestino said. “We were hitting the ball good, but right at them.”
The only other Mustang hit was in the seventh inning, when first baseman Charlie Duffy beat out a slow roller to third base with one out. Gilroy had the perfect chance to end the game in regulation after the next two batters reached base. It was the only time during the game the Mustangs had multiple runners on base.
Jacob Dexter was hit by a pitch, and Lucas Fortino reached on a fielder’s choice after pinch runner Orlando Felix beat the third baseman to the base on a force-out attempt.
But Aragon got a fielder’s choice comeback at home and then a force-out at second base to send the game into extra innings.
Both defenses played error-free ball.
Danny Contreras, in center field, showed some nice glove work by making a running catch in the seventh inning near the left-center field fence.
“We wanted to come out and see how we’d do,” Contreras said. “We had solid defense and awesome pitching. We did a good job running the bases and taking pitches when we needed.”
Dexter pitched six innings for the Mustangs, and James LaFuente pitched the final two for the win.
“We’ve been working well together for the past two months,” said catcher Fortino. “His fastball, curve and changeup were all working. He was keeping the ball low, and getting a lot of ground balls.”
Shortstop Michael Stevens was kept busy with eight assists for outs.
Aragon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 2 0
Gilroy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 – 1 2 0
Hamilton, Kirker (4), Franquez (6), Alexandre (8) and Jeremiah. Dexter, LaFuente (7) and Fortino.
WP–LaFuente. LP–Alexandre.
2B–Rios (A), Celestino (G).
