Three hits in an eight-inning game isn’t normally a recipe for success, but it was for the Los Gatos High baseball team on March 30 against Los Altos High.
The Wildcats’ 3-2 win was exactly what they needed as it snapped a three-game league skid and gave hope they could find another gear to turn around their season. Los Gatos followed that game up with a 10-6 victory to sweep the two-game set from the Eagles on April 1.
“Yes, I think so,” said coach Justin Oliver, when asked if the team could go on a run. “We beat a really good Carlmont team (on March 26) and I told our coaches I feel like it’s starting to turn the page. The team is getting closer in practice and I think they’re starting to feel the pressure and realize the season is slowly slipping away. So I’m proud of the guys for sticking with it in this game.”
The Wildcats won the first game despite getting outhit, 8-3. Their best offense, in fact, was staying upright in the box as they received six free passes by getting hit by pitches. They also drew four walks. Los Gatos saved its best for last, scoring its first two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the winning run in the last half of the eighth.
Alejandro Quijada tripled with one out and Will Hansen reached on a fielder’s choice after Quijada easily beat a throw to third base on Hansen’s comebacker to the pitcher. Jaden Mena, the No. 9 batter in the lineup, followed with a floating liner that got by a drawn-in Los Altos first baseman.
The second baseman fielded the ball and threw to home plate, but Quijada scored standing up to seal an unlikely victory.
“That’s baseball and you love it in a way,” Oliver said. “It’s tough for Los Altos. They played very well, and we did not play very good. But our guys stuck with it, kept going and came away with a much-needed league win. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot over and over this season, and even today (made some mistakes that could’ve cost us the win). This is such a weird outcome of the game, but we’ll take it.”
Wildcats starter Kaito Haake delivered another solid performance, allowing two earned runs in 6 ⅔ innings. Oliver has used Haake in non-league games against some of the heavy hitters of the West Catholic League, including St. Francis, Serra and Valley Christian.
“Kaito is the definition of a workhorse,” Oliver said. “We usually implode and lose behind him, but today our guys stuck with it. For Kaito, it’s good to be on the winning side this time.”
Lefty Dylan Martinez pitched the final 1 ⅓ innings, striking out two. Martinez has a nice throwing motion and the results have followed after a somewhat tough start.
“He was a little shaky with nerves at first, but he came in and locked down a spot,” Oliver said. “Every time we bring him in with bases loaded or two guys on, he’s done the job. He’s pitching with confidence, and that’s what you want. When we started tryouts, he was the guy that stood out the most, where you’re thinking, ‘This guy has something.’ He has absolutely stepped up his game.”
As has center fielder Jake Boyd, who delivered a huge performance in the second game against Los Altos on April 1. Boyd had a three-run double in the Wildcats’ 10-6 win, evening their record to 3-3 in the ultra-competitive De Anza Division. In the first Los Altos contest, Boyd made a diving catch on a sinking liner in shallow center in the first inning.
“Jake Boyd in my opinion is the best center fielder in the CCS and one of the best that’s been here in a long time,” Oliver said. “He’s been unbelievable for us.”
Shortstop Carter Johnstone had two hits in the second Los Altos game and has been an anchor defensively. He also delivered three hits, including two doubles and three RBI in a 9-6 loss to Mitty on April 2.
“Carter and Jake have been the steady eddies of the defense,” Oliver said.
Boyd can pitch, too, allowing zero earned runs in 4 ⅔ innings against a potent Mitty team. Gavin Olesek has given the team some quality innings, Hansen has made an impact both on the mound and at the plate, and Nick Temple had two hits in the second Los Altos game, including a triple.
Sports editor Emanuel Lee can be reached at el**@we*****.com
