Hollister’s Jason Sims Takes the Hill as Sonoma State Wins
Opener 9-5
Seaside – For Jason Sims, the first step in his new life felt just like returning home.
And not surprisingly, the results were similar as well.
A freshman pitcher at Sonoma State University, Sims got the call on Opening Day as the Seawolves traveled to Cal State-Monterey Bay. Playing on the same field that he trained on for three years as a member of the Aldrete Baseball Academy, the former San Benito High standout quickly took advantage of the familiar digs.
While the host Otters struggled to get acclimated in their program’s inaugural game yesterday, Sims spurred his new team to a 9-5 victory by hurling 3 2/3 strong innings to start the game.
“It was exciting,” said Sims, who had a contingent of family and friends sitting behind the backstop. “[I was] a little nervous, but I got after it and I think I did all right. I think I did pretty well. It’s just funny that my first college game is back at the field I played at every summer.”
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound righthander plowed through his first three innings nearly effortlessly, allowing three harmless hits a Sonoma State’s hitters powered their freshman fireballer to a 5-0 lead.
“I thought it was real good,” said Seawolves head coach John Goelz of Sims’ performance. “Monterey Bay in their first game, they’re obviously fired up and they were a little chattery. A freshman in his first start? I thought he was really composed and pitched really well. I was very impressed.”
Sims’ only real downfall was his two throwing errors–slinging a ball past first baseman Robert Learned after allowing a single in the second, and air-mailing an attempted pick-off throw into centerfield with one out in the third. But the pitcher showed maturity beyond his years by getting out of the jams nearly as quickly as he got in them.
“No trouble, no hurt,” said Sims. “I was pretty confident.”
After Sonoma State second baseman Carlos Pasillas robbed Monterey Bay’s Budd Glock of a sure hit with a sprawling, highlight-reel snag to start the fourth–“one of the best catches I’ve ever seen,”–Sims found himself nearing the end of his 50-pitch limit. Hoping to complete the inning, Sims induced a flyout for the second out, but then gave up a single to Justin Rios.
Monterey Bay put on a hit-and-run with Chuck Geffert at the plate and the sophomore delivered with a single to left. Attempting to nab Rios at third, Seawolves left fielder Oscar Mendoza unleashed a throw that sailed past third baseman T.J. Drotleff, allowing Rios to score and Drotleff to advance to second.
Once Garret Lyons followed with a RBI-single to pull the Otters within 5-2, Goeltz walked to the mound and pulled his first-year starter.
Sims’ debut spanned 48 pitches. The freshman allowed six hits and two runs, both unearned, striking out two and walking none.
“For a freshman, that was impressive,” said Sonoma State pitcher Brent Lysander, who will start the second game of the teams’ doubleheader this afternoon. “He threw a lot more strikes than balls. He controlled the count.”
Otters head coach Rich Aldrete, who mentored Sims at the Aldrete Baseball Academy and encouraged him to play under good-friend Goelz at Sonoma State, had nothing but praise for his former pupil.
“He had good stuff today,” said Aldrete. “He came ready to pitch. I’m proud of him. He’s improved a lot. He threw a couple of good change-ups. He got ahead early and he did a good job on the mound. He showed everyone that, even though he’s a true freshman … he came out and threw the ball real well.”
Sonoma State’s relievers blanked the Otters until the bottom of the eighth, when Monterey Bay struck for two runs on a single, a Seawolves’ throwing error and a RBI-groundout. But Gilroy High and Gavilan College product B.J. Collom ensured Sonoma State’s victory with a mammoth two-run home run in the ninth.
While Monterey Bay out-hit the Seawolves 13-9, the hosts couldn’t overcome the early five-run deficit Glock’s wildness (four walks and a hit batsman) put them in before the pitcher was relieved to start the fourth.
Sonoma State leadoff hitter Zack Pace led the visitors’ offense by going 2-for-3 with three runs and two walks. Though three Otters recorded two hits a piece, the team only managed two extra-base hits–both doubles–on the afternoon.
As for gaining the Opening Day start for the Seawolves–No. 10 in Baseball America’s preseason poll of NCAA Division II teams–Sims was humbled.
“I’m just hoping to produce, be able to help the team,” said Sims. “All these guys are two, three years older than me and I’m coming out to start the first game? It’s kind of overwhelming a little bit.”
His first start behind him, Sims will now try to settle into a routine, working on putting together a string of “positive outings” as he adjusts to collegiate baseball.
Goelz believes his newest pitching prospect will make the transition smoothly, saying the sky is the limit for Sims.
“We’re excited about him and about our team,” said Goelz. “We’ve had some awfully good pitching here and we’ve had a lot of guys sign pro contracts. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but we see him as the type of guy that’s going to be a pro pitcher two or three years down the road. He’s going to be a big part of our program–no doubt about it.”
His first game an encouraging success, Sims stands ready to continue this next step in his baseball journey. While conscientious to enjoy the early stages of his collegiate career in Rohnert Park, Sims spoke of a lofty goal–even an expectation–he intends to fulfill.
“It’s always been my dream to play professional baseball,” said Sims. “It’s been my dream since I’ve been a little kid. “Whenever I get the chance, I’ll be there.
“I’ll be there.”
Scott Campbell covers sports for the Hollister Free Lance. He can be reached at sc*******@fr***********.com.
