‘It’s contagious’: Turlock hopes to build momentum after first CCAL win over Downey

Quinton Hamilton
·3 min read

After finishing last season 20-9 and earning a trip to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I postseason, the Turlock High baseball team has had a less than ideal start to 2023.

The highlight of the Bulldogs’ young campaign came in the season opener, a 7-0 win over Buhach Colony. Since that March 2 outing, Turlock was outscored 32-10 entering Thursday’s Central California Athletic League matinee against Downey.

They collected a season-high nine hits and nearly tied their season high in runs scored en route to their second win of the season, beating the Knights 5-2 to even the season series.

“All year we had been struggling to get those hits and today we got the hits and we got runners on and put pressure on the defense,” said Turlock’s first-year coach Mike Souza. “It was actually good to come through with big base hits … to get these hitters a little confidence moving forward.”

Turlock’s Carson Gonzales singles during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Turlock’s Carson Gonzales singles during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.

After surrendering the game’s first run early, the Bulldogs quickly tied the game in the top of the third and proceeded to open things up in the late innings.

Riley McCord and Mason Baker knocked in runs in the sixth and Owen Miller sealed the victory with a two-RBI base hit in the top of the seventh.

“It was just putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the defense,” said Souza of the team’s successful innings. “We hit some hard balls and they finally found the holes.”

The win snapped a six-game Turlock losing streak, but Souza believes the team could have easily entered Thursday’s game 5-2 as they had four games decided by less than two runs. He hopes snatching a league win early will give the team confidence as it looks to repeat as league champions – a title the Bulldogs shared with Pitman High last season.

“When they start getting good base hits, they grow more confident and it gives them more energy,” Souza said. “When one hitter gets a hit and the next guy comes up, it’s all contagious from there.”

Turlock’s Carter Crivelli beats the throw to Downey catcher Andre Mendoza during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Turlock’s Carter Crivelli beats the throw to Downey catcher Andre Mendoza during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.

While the Bulldogs finally figured it out, Thursday was not Downey’s day.

Despite loading the bases in the first inning and putting at least one runner in scoring position in five of the game’s seven innings, the Knights finished with just one RBI.

With two outs and a 2-2 count, Dartmouth College signee Camden Rush drove in Colin Nilsson from second in the bottom of the second inning.

Just one Downey batter struck out, but the team was unable to find holes in the Turlock defense. The Knights scored the game’s final run after a Turlock error.

“In a high school baseball game, if you put the ball in play that frequently, you’ll typically find some holes,” Downey coach Justin Schwitters said. “We just didn’t today and credit to them. They made the plays when they had to.”

The two face off one final time this season Friday afternoon for the rubber match at Turlock High. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Turlock’s Carson Gonzales scores during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Turlock’s Carson Gonzales scores during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Downey’s Jaxen Rowland pitches the ball during the Central California Athletic league game with Turlock at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Downey’s Jaxen Rowland pitches the ball during the Central California Athletic league game with Turlock at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Downey shortstop Camden Rush forces out Turlock runner Josh Ramirez during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Downey shortstop Camden Rush forces out Turlock runner Josh Ramirez during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Turlock’s Carter Crivelli makes a catch in center field during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Turlock’s Carter Crivelli makes a catch in center field during the Central California Athletic league game with Downey at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Turlock shortstop Josh Ramirez throws out a runner during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Turlock shortstop Josh Ramirez throws out a runner during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Downey’s Isaac Doornewaard delivers a pitch during the Central California Athletic league game with Turlock at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Downey’s Isaac Doornewaard delivers a pitch during the Central California Athletic league game with Turlock at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Turlock’s Jorge Orozco hits a two-run double during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.
Turlock’s Jorge Orozco hits a two-run double during the Central California Athletic league game at Downey High School in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Turlock won the game 5-2.