By Henry Crowell
henrycrowell5@gmail.com
City College was the victim of a beatdown from College of San Mateo on Thursday, March 13, losing in blowout fashion.
The final score was 25-4, more akin to the results of a football game, although it was still a closer score than the teams’ previous matchup, which ended in a 27-2 win for the Bulldogs.
“Our problem is not throwing strikes and making errors,” said Rams Head Coach Mario Mendoza. “You throw strikes, and you don’t make errors, you always have a chance. We’re trying to cut down on our walks, make them earn it, and then make the plays behind them.” City College pitchers allowed 11 walks and struck out six in the game.
This loss put the Rams at 4-15; at press time, their record was 4-19. They are also 0-6 against conference opponents and are in last place both in conference and when taking into account their record against all opponents.
Freshman second baseman Kaleo Velez’s performance shined as a bright spot on the diamond amidst the crushing scoreboard. Velez laced three hits, including a double, and scored two runs in the process. “I’m trying not to chase their pitches. I hit what I know I can hit.”
Velez also stopped a hit short when he dove off his base in the 4th inning to snag the ball. He said he got there by working on his “prep step,” expecting everything, and being ready for whatever came his way.
The Rams managed to put ten hits on the board, a valiant effort that was subdued by CSM’s 21. “Hopefully, we’re in a better situation where at least we’re in the game, where it’s not 10-0,12-1,11-1. When you’re down 10 to 12 runs, it’s hard to do anything,” said Coach Mendoza.
Kaden Healy, freshman right-fielder for the Rams, was able to secure two hits on the day, smoking a double and scoring both times he reached on a hit. His reserved technique at bat also earned him a walk before he was through. “My approach was pretty much, let it get in deep and drive it hard the other way, really just see the bat hit the ball.”
This game was originally supposed to be played at Fairmont Field in Pacifica, but it was moved to Skyline College’s field the day before it was played.
“You can’t let things like fields get to you. You can’t let it change how you play. It’s a baseball field, and you play on it every day. Nothing changes, it’s the same game. You’re just playing on someone else’s field,” Healey said.
“We’re just trying to keep getting better every day. Every day is a new day, and every day is a blessing to be on the field,” Coach Mendoza said. “We will keep competing, keep getting better, keep focusing on each other, and keep focused on playing good baseball.”