The Gavilan College baseball program turned out to be the big
winner Saturday when the 2004-5 Rams squad outlasted the Alumni
10-6 in a 13-inning game on the Rams
’ field.
The Gavilan College baseball program turned out to be the big winner Saturday when the 2004-5 Rams squad outlasted the Alumni 10-6 in a 13-inning game on the Rams’ field.
“We’re going to make this an annual event,” confirmed second-year Ram head coach Neal Andrade. “We’ll have a golf tournament on a Friday and a game between the alumni and the current team the following day.
“The alumni definitely had fun,” Andrade continued. “They raved about the facilities. The field’s in great shape. This weekend was not just a fund-raiser. We want the alumni to get back involved and caring about the program. Baseball-wise, it was pretty well played for the first five or six innings. Fatigue may have set in a little for the alumni.”
The current Gavilan squad managed a 1-0 lead through four, made it 3-0 in the fifth before the Alumni team moved to within one at 5-4 after eight. THe Rams countered with five runs in the top of the ninth.
Andrade was also encouraged by this year’s Rams learning much about the history of the school’s baseball program.
“This event gave the team a chance to learn a little history about the program, how much some people have given for this place and team to be here. Coach (Bob) Nick(erson) needed this. Who knows if he wasn’t around at the right time if there might not be baseball now at Gavilan.”
Nickerson, who coached the 25-player Alumni and barked instructions from the third base coaches’ box, was honored at the conclusion of the four-hour game with recognition of a plaque in centerfield to retire his uniform number.
“Some players needed to know just how much love for the game (NIckerson) has,” said San Benito grad and current Gavilan pitcher Brett Fulgoni. “Living legend or not, it was nice to meet a guy who’s been in the game 65 years as a player and coach.”
“When I’d come to camps when I was little, Coach Nickerson would be there teaching,” added Brent Mardesich, a sophomore pitcher at Gavilan and former Gilroy High athlete.
“This day is very special for Coach Nickerson, that’s for sure, for what he’s done for the program. That was really special to see him again. He’s a smart guy. The turn-out for the alumni was good, and they were good, too. They definitely came to play.”
The combination of involvement by the alumni and the second season of Andrade at the helm could spell success on the diamond this spring.
“For a couple of years Gavilan wasn’t doing so well,” said current Ram John Kirkish, another Gilroy High graduate. “Finally, with Coach Neal in charge and interest high, it may be turning around.”
