Despite losing 3-1 at home to Merced in the opening game of the
season Tuesday, the Gavilan Rams baseball team is nearing
mid-season form – or at least the defense is.
Despite losing 3-1 at home to Merced in the opening game of the season Tuesday, the Gavilan Rams baseball team is nearing mid-season form – or at least the defense is.
The Rams started the season with just one sophomore in the starting lineup, Kevin Medeiros, who played right field. And only one sophomore pitcher was used – Chris Barber. But sixth-year coach Neal Andrade is optimistic about what he sees.
“It was a well-pitched and a well-defended game,” Andrade said. “Any time you can give up just three runs in a college game and the defense backs them up, you gotta like your chances.”
Gavilan had a couple tough breaks go against them that could have turned the game. In the middle innings, a runner was doubled up after the right fielder snagged a line drive.
In another inning, designated hitter Max Myers (2-for-3) hit a shot off the left field fence, but the trailing runner was thrown out at home plate.
And in the ninth,the Rams got a runner on base after Cody Meek was hit by a pitch. But Merced got a force out and then double play to end the game.
“With having such a young team out of the gate and facing such a perennial playoff-type team, we came to play today,” Andrade said.
Gavilan starter Matt Gattis went 4 2/3 innings. He gave up a solo home run to Kory Vitalo in the fourth and two runs in the fifth. The Rams scored their only run in the first on a double by Meek that knocked in Danny Contreras. The Rams were outhit 9-5.
Gavilan will play visiting Los Medanos Thursday before a home double header Sunday against Barstow.
