Showing their ability to rally early, Hollister High stormed
back from a six-run deficit to defeat Hillsdale 13-7 in the second
pool play game of the Cupertino Lions Tournament Tuesday.
Showing their ability to rally early, Hollister High stormed back from a six-run deficit to defeat Hillsdale 13-7 in the second pool play game of the Cupertino Lions Tournament Tuesday.
The game was played at Monta Vista High in Cupertino, a venue which has seen the Balers (15-4) score 25 runs in two games.
The pool championship will be decided tonight when the Balers, ranked 12th in the Central Coast Section, face 13th-ranked Archbishop Mitty (11-6) at PAL Stadium at 7 p.m. The winner will play in the championship game on Friday, with the loser playing in the third place game, also on Friday, as the tourney concludes at PAL. The Balers lost to Mitty 3-2 two years ago in the same tourney in a game at Mitty.
“It’s a good time for us to play Mitty right now,” said Baler first baseman Gordon Ross. “We’re swinging the bats well and playing good baseball. This is a good CCS matchup. The team is looking forward to it.”
It was another big day for lanky sophomore Jason Sims, but this time it was on the mound. Sims (1-0) relieved Justin Patton with two out in the first inning and went the rest of the way, giving up just a run to the Knights and fanning five. On Monday, Sims hit his first home run of the season in a 12-8 victory over Monta Vista.
The Balers’ P.J. Galvan hit a blast to center for a triple, while Nathan Rowe’s bases-clearing monster double was part of a 7-run sixth for the Balers. Rowe went 2-5, while Ross was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Eric Diaz Jr., who will start tonight against the Monarchs, contributed a double.
In the Watsonville Junior Varsity Tournament on Tuesday, the Balers handled Santa Cruz 8-1. Brian Rossi went the distance and struck out eight Cardinal batters. Gabe Gaitan, who has been on fire of late, was 3-4 for the Balers. Geno Fata was 2-2 with 2 RBI.
Anthony Vasquez chipped in two runs driven in, while Chris Etheridge had an RBI. Jason Allen went 2-2 with a stolen base.
The Balers (13-3) face the winner of Monte Vista Christian and Watsonville Friday at 7 p.m. The tournament runs through Saturday.
