SMHS BASEBALL
Despite the Rattler offense putting up five runs in the first inning, sophomore pitcher Jack Vasquez pitched as if the game was still tied at 0-0.
“It feels good [scoring five runs], but I don’t like to go in there feeling like it’s 5-0,” Vasquez said. “I like to keep it a 0-0 ballgame, for me, because that’s just something that keeps me locked in. I want to take that captain role, so I feel if I stay locked in, the rest of the team is going to stay locked in. That’s just something I want to lead by and spread.”
Vasquez finished his night allowing just two hits, no earned runs, one walk and striking out nine batters to earn the win while senior Zehavi Hernandez earned the save in the Rattlers 10-0 victory over the Converse Judson Rockets.
The win improves San Marcos’ overall record to 12-5-1 while their district record improves to 4-2.
Head Coach Bryan Webb was proud of his team for coming in getting another district win on the board against the Rockets who are currently trying to rebuild.
“[Judson] is rebuilding over there, and they’re young. So we went out and played like we’re supposed to,” Webb said. “With Jack on the mound, he had a solid outing. They got hit in the first inning, and I told him I’m glad the streak was over with no hits. But he gave us a great outing. Zehavi came in, [and] gave us a great outing; we got some timely hits, so we played pretty solid tonight.”
Vasquez and Hernandez both combined to allow no earned, two hits while striking out 12 batters total.
While Webb praised both of his pitchers, Webb also gave credit to the Rattler defense for continuing to make the critical plays.
“Their performance is the confidence behind them with our defense,” Webb said. “We feel like they’re going to get in the zone. They’re going to get us ground balls. They’re going to hit our strengths, and they’re going to hit the spot. When they’re on the mound, we have a lot of confidence, and we’re gathering confidence with every pitcher we got. So Friday when we go back over there and get [Cole] Wiatrek and these other guys on the mound, and [we will] go do the same thing.”
The Rattler offense struck first in their first atbat of the game as junior Colson Geesee hit an RBI single to put San Marcos up 1-0.
Following another RBI single from Wiatrek, third baseman Mason Gamboa hit a two-run RBI double to push the lead 4-0. Gamboa later scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 5-0.
While getting it done on the mound, Hernandez was helping the Rattlers at the plate. Hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the third, Hernandez extended the San Marcos lead to 6-0.
The lead was pushed to 7-0 when Miguel Garcia hit a sac fly before the Rattlers had a chance to end the game early in the sixth inning.
Following a double by Charlie Helgeson, Helgeson scored on a Rocket fielding error to make it a 8-0 game. Vasquez made it a 9-0 game after hitting an RBI triple as the Rattlers threatened to reach the mercy rule.
The bases were then loaded up after back to back hits by pitches as Hernandez came back up to the plate with a chance to end the game early.
Coming up to the plate, Hernandez looked to be the aggressor.
“Just [staying] aggressive [on the] first pitch fastball,” Hernandez said. “Just try to go out there and end the game early.”
Hernandez connected with an RBI single to score Vasquez at third, giving the Rattlers a 10-0 win.
San Marcos will be back on the road this Friday at Judson to complete the two-game sweep of the Rockets. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
