BASEBALL: Garcia Goes Deep Twice for Gilroy

Gilroy 5, North Salinas 2

The Star: Bubu Garcia picked a fine day to have hit first two home run game of his life.  Nobody had a bigger game then junior captain Garcia, who blasted two home runs in the game, one in the third inning and one more in the fifth to help the Gilroy High baseball team defeat North Salinas 5-2 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Gilroy.

The deep shot in the fifth inning hit the scoreboard in left center field and stretched the Mustangs lead to 5-2.  Garcia finished the game going 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI’s. Another Mustangs star of the game was their starting pitcher, Eric Brolin.

The starter pitched a complete game to earn the win. Brolin threw 72 pitches and and struck out four in the home triumph.

The Turning Point: North Salinas led by one before Gilroy scored off a base loaded walk. The Mustangs eventually took the lead in the second inning when sophomore first baseman Ronnie Reed came across home plate off a costly passed ball.

The Quotes: Head coach Johnny Ramirez was concerned about his team’s performance coming into this game because of his teams week off in between games.

 “This game was us trying to get back into the flow of things and once we did, we started hitting,” Ramirez said.

Coach Ramirez was also impressed with his starting pitchers performance.

“His pitching was outstanding,” Ramirez said. “That was the Brolin we know. He attacked the zone and never let up.”

Bubu Garcia led the charge for the Mustangs offense.

“I just went up there and swung the bat and hoped to get a base hit,” Garcia said, “ I knew the second one was over the fence, but I didn’t think the first one was.”

Starting pitcher Brolin was fighting fatigue in his legs from the running all week but he just blocked it out of his mind and just pitched.

“I felt great out there besides a little fatigue in the legs,” Brolin said. “I loved my team’s defensive performance behind me. I needed their support.”

What's Next? The Mustangs (14-11; 9-7 Tri-County) will travel south to Salinas to play the Alvarez High Eagles (3-18; 2-12 Tri-County) next Tuesday, May 10.  Game time is 4 p.m.

Bottom Line: With only a handful of games left before Central Coast Section playoff action begins, the Mustangs will look to string together some wins and gather a little momentum heading into the postseason.

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North Salinas           1          0          0          1          0          0          0          2

Gilroy                          0          2          1          0          2          0          -           5