Holyoke baseball splits doubleheader in Wray, successfully overcoming early mistakes

    Staying focused and competing for all 14 innings were some of the goals laid out by the Holyoke High School baseball team before opening the 2019 season at Wray last Saturday, March 16. Though the Dragons ended up splitting the doubleheader, they met those goals and played games they can be proud of.
    It being the first game of the season — and the first-ever varsity game for the freshmen — coach Sam Distefano was pleased to see the team’s performance. There were, he admitted, some freshman mistakes, but they were made across the roster not just by new players. Still early in the season, coaches hope to take those mistakes and improve the team.
    Though the rather small roster does make the team more susceptible to injuries, Distefano sees the numbers as an advantage. Players will get a lot of reps and experience playing multiple positions. He looks to have a team of great depth this season, with athletes capable of playing three or four different positions. It’s an asset not many of their competitors will have.
    
Holyoke 6, Wray 7
    It didn’t take long for the Eagles to jump ahead in the first game March 16. Two runs in the first inning and three in the second, all while holding the Dragons scoreless, put them ahead 5-0 going into the third inning.
    Back at the top of the lineup, Jesus Trejo managed to get on base and went on to score the team’s first run on an error. Wray added another in the fourth inning, getting back its five-run lead.
    In the fifth inning, Trejo scored again, this time stealing home, putting the score at 6-2. Again, Wray kept pace and added a run to the scoreboard in the following inning.
    Down 7-2 going into the final inning, the Dragons made a big push. With one out against them, Alexis Vega hit a home run. Trejo got on base, and Seth Watson drove him in with another homer. Blake Mosenteen got on base and managed another run on an error. The Dragons came within one run of tying the game, but the Eagle lead was too much to overcome, and the game ended at 7-6.
    Mosenteen pitched all six innings against the Eagles. He faced 34 batters, striking out six and walking nine. He gave up seven hits and six earned runs.
    In addition to the team’s home runs, doubles were hit by Miles Sprague, Mosenteen and Trejo. Burris and Trejo each added a single to the scorebook as well. Earning bases on balls were Sprague, Watson, Trejo and Deaver. Watson posted two RBIs, and Vega one. Throughout the game, Trejo stole two bases, and Sprague and Mosenteen stole one apiece.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.