Seaside – Opening Day for baseball on the Monterey Peninsula took on a local flavor as four athletes with South Valley ties manned the rosters of Cal State-Monterey Bay and Sonoma State University.
In addition to Hollister’s Jason Sims and Gilroy’s B.J. Collom, who played central roles in Sonoma State’s three-game weekend sweep, two Monterey Bay relief pitchers helped usher in the Otters’ baseball program.
Ben Glines, a junior from Gilroy High and Gavilan College, and Mike Paresa, a freshman from Morgan Hill, have the distinction of being a part of Monterey Bay’s first-ever baseball team.
“It’s really exciting to be the first-year program,” said Paresa, a right-handed reliever. “We started a tradition for the whole school for baseball. I just hope we get established as a good team.”
The Otters found the going a bit rough in their inaugural series, dropping Friday afternoon’s contest 9-5 and following up with a pair of 12-3 losses in Saturday’s doubleheader.
But Sonoma State head coach John Goelz had nothing but encouraging words from the opposing dugout.
“What [the Otters] did in their first year … it’s very impressive to have 45 kids out,” said Goelz. “They’re really scrappy. It’s just really impressive for a first-year program. I know they’ll be good down the road.”
As Friday’s opener rolled on, a potential showdown between two former Gilroy and Gavilan teammates loomed.
Glines, Monterey Bay’s left-handed specialist, sat in the home team’s bullpen, itching to face one of Sonoma State’s left-handed sluggers in a critical, late-game situation. Collom, who fits that bill perfectly as the Seawolves’ No. 3 hitter, was hoping to get a crack at his former teammate.
“I was kind of looking for him, seeing if he was going up in the bullpen, warming up, but I never saw him,” said Collom, who led the Seawolves’ offense with five hits and seven RBI in the series.
With the Otters unable to pull closer than three runs as the fog rolled in, Glines never got his chance.
Both Paresa and Glines did, however, get into the action during Saturday’s doubleheader.
Paresa came into the first game at the start of the sixth inning. The freshman promptly recorded two flyouts, but then saw the inning begin to unravel.
After allowing a double and then a walk, Paresa fell victim to an outfield error that proved costly. He then gave up another double and hit the following batter, before settling down to end the inning with a groundout.
In all, Paresa allowed two hits and three runs, all unearned, in his collegiate debut.
Glines got the call in the sixth inning of the second game. The junior struck out the first batter he faced and induced a pop-up from the second. After allowing a single, Glines promptly got out the inning unharmed thanks to a fielder’s choice.
Following Friday’s opener, Glines spoke of his enjoyment of playing for Monterey Bay.
“For me, it’s just another opportunity to play,” said Glines. “It was either go to school and give up baseball or come out here and play for two more years and have some fun. I’m glad I’m in the area for sure. Family and friends get to watch me come out and play, so that’s a big plus.”
Monterey Bay’s head coach, Rich Aldrete, said both of his South Valley relievers would have the opportunity to make a difference for the Otters this year. Impressed with Glines’ ability to get the tough lefties out and Paresa’s talent and work ethic, Aldrete said he was glad to have the pair in his bullpen.
“I’m looking for both of those guys to contribute big-time for the season,” said Aldrete.
