Nick Gonzalez needed to drive in just one run in the bottom of
the fifth inning of Friday’s home game with Gilroy and the 10-run
mercy rule would have been in effect. But he didn’t bother with
just one.
Nick Gonzalez needed to drive in just one run in the bottom of the fifth inning of Friday’s home game with Gilroy and the 10-run mercy rule would have been in effect. But he didn’t bother with just one.
With two Hollister High runners on base, Gonzalez drove a 3-2 pitch by Gilroy reliever Carlos Garcia over the left-center field fence for a three-run homer as the Balers clubbed the Mustangs 18-6 in five innings.
It was the second home run of the day for the Balers (8-3, 3-1 Tri-County Athletic League). In the third inning, Anthony Synegal clouted his second home run of the year, a solo number to break a 4-4 tie.
The Mustangs (1-8, 0-4) have endured some off-field problems in the last week, but it wasn’t apparent the way they came out swinging against Nathan Rowe (4-1). Rowe pitched four innings and gave up eight hits – all singles – along with all six Gilroy runs, one of which was unearned.
“Nathan didn’t come to pitch today,” said Baler head coach Neal Andrade, who was not totally satisfied with his club’s effort. “He wanted to pitch well because it was his first league game at home, but Gilroy swung the bat well against him. Give it to Gilroy; they’ve had some problems, but they played hard today. I wish some of that would rub off on us.”
The Balers, at least, had their hitting shoes on as they stroked the ball to the tune of 16 hits against Mustangs starter Peter Mickartz and Garcia. Eric Diaz Jr. had a huge day with four hits in four trips, including three doubles, with 4 RBI.
Nearly every Baler on the roster had a hit. The No. 9 hitter in the lineup, Brett Fulgoni, doubled off the glove of Mustangs first baseman Todd Gimenez in the second and singled in the third. Fulgoni was one six Baler players to score at least two runs. Leadoff hitter Josh Badillo reached base the first three times up and scored each time.
Hollister blew the game open in the fifth inning as Garcia, obviously tiring, failed to retire a soul. Diaz Jr. led off with a double down the left field line, then Garcia walked Kelly Kramer and Jason Sims. Synegal singled in a run, then Mike Lango doubled down the third base line for two more before Gonzalez jerked his first varsity home run to end it.
Kramer, just recently cleared to play, had come in to pitch the fifth and couldn’t have done much better as he fanned the side.
“I like the way he pitched,” Andrade said. “He’s really going to help us.”
Though Andrade wasn’t too thrilled with his club’s execution due to “missed signs” and “sloppy baserunning,” Gilroy skipper Clint Wheeler was impressed with the Balers.
“Hollister looks like the best overall team in the league,” Wheeler said. “They can swing the bat, play good defense and have three guys that can pitch. I like them better than Salinas right now.”
The Balers have a good chance to go to 5-1 in the T-CAL next week with two games against last-place North Salinas. The Balers play at the Vikings’ diamond on Wednesday, then host North Salinas Saturday.
-Baler bit: Regular shortstop Nick Ramos is slated to be out for two more weeks after turning an ankle in the first inning at Gilroy last Wednesday.
Gilroy 103 20 – 6 8 2
Hollister 226 26 – 18 16 2
Mickartz, Garcia (4) and Kirkish; Rowe, Kramer (5) and Synegal. WP-Rowe (4-1). LP-Mickartz (0-3). 2B – Diaz, Jr. 3, Fulgoni (H). HR – Synegal, Gonzalez (H). 4 hits – Diaz, Jr. (H). 3 hits – Sustaita (G). 2 hits – Rowe, Ross, Synegal, Gonzalez, Fulgoni (H). 4 RBI – Diaz, Jr. (H). 3 RBI – Gonzalez (H). 2 RBI – Gimenez, Garcia (G); Rowe, Ross, Synegal, Lango, Patton (H).
