Martin Gomez gives the Central Valley High School varsity baseball team a great chance to win every time he pitches. The right-handed senior returned from a two-week layoff due to shoulder soreness and didn't miss a beat in directing the Hawks to a 2-0 victory over host Sonora in Game 1 of their Valley Oak League series on Tuesday, March 17.
"We feel more relaxed when he's on the mound," Central Valley head coach Greg Magni said.
Martin tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Wildcat Manuel Espino singled off of Gomez in the second and seventh innings.
"By about the fourth inning, he started to really lock in," Magni said. "He increased his velocity. He had great command of his off-speed stuff. It's the best I've seen him throw."
"I thought I threw all right," said Martin, who retired seven straight batters via strikeout at one point. "I hit my spots."
The Hawks managed to score two runs without a hit.
Central Valley took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Angel Gallegos walked, moved to second on Damien Adams' sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the fourth inning. Gomez drew a walk, raced to second on a passed ball, headed to third on Greg Guerra's groundout and came home on Brian Creek's sacrifice fly to right-center field.
The Hawks hit just .167 from the plate (4-for-24) as a team. Adams collected two singles. Guerra doubled. Gallegos singled.
"Our bats weren't there, but our defense came through," Gomez said.
Sonora 10, CV 3
Brian Creek doubled, singled and drove in two runs during the Hawks' 10-3 loss to the Wildcats during Game 2 on Thursday in Ceres.
Adams and Israel Trevino had two hits apiece for Central Valley, which dropped to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in the VOL standings. Sonora improved to 2-2 in conference play.
"I'm never disappointed with a split in this league," Magni said.
The Hawks will travel to Manteca High this Thursday for a 4 p.m. game.
"We feel more relaxed when he's on the mound," Central Valley head coach Greg Magni said.
Martin tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Wildcat Manuel Espino singled off of Gomez in the second and seventh innings.
"By about the fourth inning, he started to really lock in," Magni said. "He increased his velocity. He had great command of his off-speed stuff. It's the best I've seen him throw."
"I thought I threw all right," said Martin, who retired seven straight batters via strikeout at one point. "I hit my spots."
The Hawks managed to score two runs without a hit.
Central Valley took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Angel Gallegos walked, moved to second on Damien Adams' sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the fourth inning. Gomez drew a walk, raced to second on a passed ball, headed to third on Greg Guerra's groundout and came home on Brian Creek's sacrifice fly to right-center field.
The Hawks hit just .167 from the plate (4-for-24) as a team. Adams collected two singles. Guerra doubled. Gallegos singled.
"Our bats weren't there, but our defense came through," Gomez said.
Sonora 10, CV 3
Brian Creek doubled, singled and drove in two runs during the Hawks' 10-3 loss to the Wildcats during Game 2 on Thursday in Ceres.
Adams and Israel Trevino had two hits apiece for Central Valley, which dropped to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in the VOL standings. Sonora improved to 2-2 in conference play.
"I'm never disappointed with a split in this league," Magni said.
The Hawks will travel to Manteca High this Thursday for a 4 p.m. game.
