By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Borges leads Dawgs past Falcons
Placeholder Image
Brian Borges strolled into the dugout from left field following a team meeting, sat on the bench and removed his cleats.

Borges and the Ceres High Legion baseball team just finished playing Atwater at the 20th annual Lee Hampson Baseball Tourney at Johansen High School on Saturday. The senior drove in four runs in leading the Bulldogs to an 8-1 victory over the Falcons.

Borges didn't have to play in the game. Borges and Derrick Goblirsch, who is also a member of the Legion team, flew home from Idaho Thursday afternoon. They participated in a full-contact football camp at Boise State University for five days.

"I knew I was going to come and play," said Borges, who also suited up for the Bulldogs during their victory over Buhach Colony on Friday. "I'm not tired."

Borges didn't want to let his teammates down.

"You can see him taking on a leadership role right now," said Ceres coach Tim Williams. "He did learn something last year."

Ceres placed fifth with a 2-2 record in an eight-team bracket at the Johansen tournament.

"It's been a fun summer," said Williams said. "We have a winning record. That's great. I'm more pleased with how the kids have responded in certain situations. Their growth and improvement is only going to help us in the future."

Hector Reyes pitched a gem of a game for the Bulldogs. The senior allowed one unearned run and four hits, and struck out 10 batters in seven innings. He had at least one strikeout in every inning, including three in the fourth and two in the fifth.

"That's probably his best (performance) this summer," Williams said. "Without a doubt. They really didn't pose that big of a threat the whole game."

Ceres built an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with four runs.

Jake Loveland singled, moved to second when Brent Avila was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Brooks Beatty's error at second base and scored on Danny Munoz's sacrifice fly to right field. Atwater pitcher Carl Perry proceeded to surrender a walk to Brandon Gresham and a two-out, three-run double to right to Borges.

Ceres led 4-0 at the end of the third inning.

Munoz walked and moved all the way to third when Atwater third baseman Jerry Leonardo fielded Gresham's bunt and threw high to first base. Luis Malagon and Borges, Ceres' third and fourth batters, ripped RBI singles to left and right right field, respectively.

"Brian is starting to hit the ball to the right a little bit more," Williams said. "That's going to allow him to be more successful."

The Bulldogs scored twice with two out in the first inning.

Malagon lined Perry's first pitch into center field and moved to second when Borges was drilled by a pitch on his left arm. Malagon stole third and scored when Perry threw the ball into the outfield while attempting to pickoff Borges at second base. Reyes followed with a RBI single to center.

The Bulldogs avoided disaster in the top of the first.

Reyes got out of a bases-loaded jam with one out in the inning.

"That was huge," Williams said. "We were able to keep them from scoring."

Ceres collected eight hits in the game. Four players drove in at least one run.

"Our whole team is starting to hit the ball now," Borges said. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier