Andrew Fasano
Staff Writer
After beating Davis High School 7-4 in the 2016 Boras Classic Tournament champions, the Mustangs are now ranked number 25 in California.
In the championship game against Davis, starting pitcher Trevor Franklin was able to get the job done on the mound pitching six innings with five strikeouts while senior Andrew Arteaga was able to get three hits in four at bats with four runs batted in.
“Our team played amazing and it all stemmed from the dugout,”senior catcher Brett Davis said. “Our team was loud and into it and this carried onto the field.”
The Mustangs started out the game with intensity by scoring their first two runs in the top of the first inning. After Davis High School tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning, the Mustangs exploded with a four-run fifth inning giving them the win.
“Winning this tournament is a great boost for the team,” freshman pitcher Merrick Baldo said. “Going into further games with a full, healthy roster to play is really fantastic.”
The Mustangs defeated nationally ranked teams such as JSerra High School 2-1 in the Boras Classic Southern championships and Mater Dei High School 11-3 in the second round of the Southern championships to reach the final in Northern California.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to play against some of the best team in the state,” Olson said. “Also since there are many scouts watching the boys play.”
Throughout the tournament, there were many standout players according to Coach Olson, but pitcher Roland Housseman contributed his excellence against JSerra in the Southern California finals by pitching six innings only allowing run run but striking out six.
“When Coach Olson told me I was getting the start, I was instantly beginning to feel fired up,” Houseman said. “I had a competitive mindset while I was on the mound the entire game and was confident in myself the entire game because I knew I had the obligation to pick up my team with a strong pitching performance.”
According to Davis, it was a very nerve racking game considering the game was broadcasted live on ESPN and the fact that thousands of people were watching, but after a few innings, the Mustangs were able to relax a little.
“It was an awesome experience because we got to play for and In front of fans that couldn’t be there to watch live,” Davis said. “It was a little nerve racking but it was fine once we realized even though it’s on tv it’s still the same game we grew up playing.”
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