When a coach has a young and inexperienced baseball squad, there are two trains of thought when it comes to scheduling opponents.
One is to schedule not-so-good programs and build up the players’ confidence and grab some wins. But that could lead to overconfidence when league play rolls around.
The other is to “schedule up” and play against tough competition and watch the players “take their lumps” but be seasoned towards the middle part of the season.
First year Dos Palos head coach Brent Jones chose the latter route and last Friday, his Broncos held on to defeat the Hilmar Yellowjackets, 7-4.
Hilmar came into the game with an impressive 10-1 record while Dos Palos limped in with a five-game losing streak. But three of those losses came against two top-flight County programs in Kerman and Liberty-Madera Ranchos.
To say that Jones was relieved to come away with the win is an understatement.
“You just don’t know how good that win feels,” said the coach. “And we had to work really hard for it. Hilmar has some good players and a good coach.”
Jones added that during the losing streak, the Broncos did come close almost every game.
“We missed getting a key his or making a key defensive play,” he explained. “If we get those hits or make the plays on defense, we could have won those games.”
Senior right-hander Sixto Ibarra took the ball against Hilmar. He pitched six full innings, scattering seven hits while striking out two. Gilbert Ramirez recorded the save with one inning of work.
“Sixto was pretty much lights out,” said Jones. “His stat line wasn’t outstanding but he got the ground balls and pop-ups when we needed them.”
Freshman Jaxson Soares led the offense with three hits and also started at third base.
“Jax had a really good day hitting and made some nice plays at third base. Senior Earl Riley also had a good day. He started the year struggling because he hasn’t played baseball since eighth grade, but he is slowly starting to terrorize pitchers.”
Now the season turns to West Sierra League play as well as the Selma Easter Classic tournament, which always features top-flight competition.
“I am very proud of our young men,” said Jones, noting that besides a freshman at third base, there is a sophomore at shortstop and another freshman at second base. “We are better because of our tough preseason schedule and the players are starting to believe in each other. We definitely are having some growing pains but these players are making some really good baseball plays lately.”
The victory over Hilmar improves Dos Palos’ record to 4-6. They will start WSL play this Friday when they travel to Avenal. This Tuesday, they will host Tranquillity.
As for WSL, it will be a three-team race between Dos Palos, Coalinga and Mendota.
