The Aragon boys baseball team (16-9 overall, 6-8 Peninsula Athletic League) lost 5-4 against Hillsdale (12-14 overall, 3-11 PAL) on May 11.
In the top of the first inning, Hillsdale swiftly got a runner on base due to an error by Aragon, but the runner was picked off shortly after.
Later in the game, Hillsdale struck first with a two-RBI single from Hillsdale sophomore Santino Sylvestri.
Aragon struggled to break through for most of the game until the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior pitcher and outfielder Patrick Mori hit a line-drive single into right field to bring in Aragon’s first run. Junior pitcher Jared Walsh continued by batting in two players off of an error. This was Walsh’s first time at the plate in a while due to injury, and his hit gave Aragon the lead. Sophomore infielder Cyrus Hayden-Gephart knocked in one more run for Aragon before the side was retired.
“Our goal is to win CCS. It’s our coach’s last season, so we’re trying to go out on top”
In the top of the seventh inning, Aragon’s defense struggled as the inning started with one single and two walks. With the bases loaded, Aragon had a pitching change and brought in senior infielder and pitcher Colin Trizuto. He instantly walked in a runner, making the score 4-3 with zero outs.
Aragon’s efforts were not enough, though, as a single up the middle gave Hillsdale a 5-4 lead, which it would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Aragon hopes to bounce back in its next game against Hillsdale.
“Hillsdale … is always [different],” Mori said. “There were some things working against us today. That’s the beauty of the two-game series: you bounce back on Friday and win.”
Under the guidance of head coach Lenny Souza, the Dons are hoping to perform well in the Central Coast Section Championship.
“Our goal is to win CCS,” said junior infielder and pitcher Ronin Lee. “It’s our coach’s last season, so we’re trying to go out on top.”
Aragon was performing better at the beginning of the season and slowed down in the second half.
“We could improve our hitting,” Walsh said. “We were hot at the start, but our hitting died down so we got to get on a roll again.”
The players in the team create a positive atmosphere.
“[Sometimes, in baseball] you can get people who won’t make it as fun, [but] our team does not do that at all,” Mori said. “[It’s] sad that it’s coming to an end because you wish you could spend your life here.”
On May 13, the Dons rebounded with a 1-0 win against the Knights and qualified for CCS. Quarterfinals take place on May 21 but the opponent and date is still to be determined as of May 16.
*Records as of May 16
