Gilroy High School’s varsity baseball team traveled to Morgan Hill May 1 to finish its season series with the Acorns of Live Oak. When the dust finally settled, the Mustangs were victorious, winning by a score of 11-7.
But for the two teams, the game meant much more than just a win or a loss. The game signified the end of an era in South County high school athletics, as it was the last time the two teams would ever meet in league play. So while the Mustangs were able to record the win, the truth is both sides lost something important that day: An irreplaceable rival.
As a result of the 2004 opening of Morgan Hill’s second public high school, Ann Sobrato, the student population of Live Oak declined dramatically. Because of that, the decision was made to move both Morgan Hill high schools to the Blossom Valley Athletic League for the 2006-2007 school year. The move also signaled an end to the long-standing and decorated rivalry between the Mustangs and the Acorns. While the two schools will always share a strong history, no new chapters will be written – at least in the near future.
Gilroy High is a school that values its rivals, so much so that we have two of them. It is hard to judge whether Gilroy’s rivalry with San Benito or Live Oak is more intense. The San Benito-Gilroy rivalry is more of a cultural clash between the farm boys and city dwellers, while the Gilroy-Live Oak rivalry feeds off of proximity.
Because Morgan Hill and Gilroy are so close, there seems to be a greater sense of camaraderie between the two teams. When Gilroy and Live Oak play, it is more common to see players greet each other before and after the game as compared to when Gilroy plays San Benito. When the Haybalers come to town, it definitely feels like the outsiders have arrived: They have more of an edge. I guess the Acorns have always represented a kinder and gentler rival. They’re less angry, friendlier. And yet always fierce.
Morgan Hill and Gilroy have a unique association through the Pony baseball program. Currently, there are six players on the Gilroy varsity roster who played in Morgan Hill: Drew Andersen, Josh Sterling, Chris Hernandez, Jacob Dexter, Ryan Evanger and Kevin Grove. It is very unusual to have a situation where so many players on one team have had experience playing with so many players sitting on the opposing bench. Next year, this connection will certainly be missed.
Good rivalries in sports are hard to find. A true rivalry cannot exist if one team dominates the other. The Live Oak/Gilroy match up has always been lively because the teams are usually evenly matched. The first major clash between the Acorns and Mustangs came under the Friday Night Lights of football in Morgan Hill this past fall. After building a commanding lead throughout the first half, the Mustangs saw their point advantage quickly diminish in the second half. The Acorns mounted a 20+ point comeback and walked off the field victorious, giving them the nod for the fall season against Gilroy.
When winter rolled around, the intensity heated up to an all-time high. Record-breaking crowds were seen at both varsity boys’ basketball games. When the Gilroy boys’ hoops squad played host to the Acorns, Gilroy athletic director Jack Daley was forced to turn away fans because the gym reached full capacity. Because the boys’ and girls’ teams were both able to sweep the Acorns, the Mustangs came out on top against Live Oak for the winter season.
It is only fitting that the spring season ended in a draw. Although the Lady Mustang softball team had its troubles against the Lady Acorns, the boys’ varsity baseball team won two of the three games it played against Live Oak. Both the baseball and softball teams entered the CCS playoffs this week, but in different divisions.
To the Live Oak Acorns, good luck and good-bye. The Mustangs will miss you.
