The Rafu Shimpo - L.A. Japanese Daily News

New Home Field Advantage
By ALEX HERBACH and
MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU STAFF WRITERS
Saturday, May 19, 2007

Gabrielino High is riding a wave of confidence as they win the first playoff game on their new diamond.

Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Gabrielino centerfielder Matt Izumida, left, and catcher Andy Tholt have plenty to smile about after their first-round win Thursday, the first postseason game on their new field after years of playing home games at remote locations.

St. Monica’s Anthony Yoshinaga pitches to Izumida. The Mariners reliever threw three-plus innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out one.

Izumida singles to right field in the third inning, scoring a run. The junior finished with a hit and an RBI.

SAN GABRIEL.–In the 1977 Ridley Scott film “The Duellists,” two men engage in a series of swordfights in order to enact bloody satisfaction from the other’s misfortune. But they forget themselves—more specifically, they lose sight of their reason—and engage in belligerence purely for visceral, monkey pleasure; to win simply for winning’s sake.

It would be a stretch to say that the Gabrielino High School baseball team has forgotten themselves on their journey to winning the first Mission Valley League championship in school history. But like the two duelists, they covet winning, especially when it is at the expense of a bitter rival.

The Eagles won their title May 9 against conference nemesis Arroyo. The victory tasted even sweeter for the fact that it came on their opponent’s home turf.

“We really wanted to stick it to them,” said catcher Andy Tholt. “We really wanted to clinch on their field, make it hurt.”

Gabrielino continued to savor the taste of winning Thursday, by taking the first playoff game on their new field, a 7-2 first-round victory over St. Monica. In front of a large crowd that included the Los Angeles Dodgers’ former manager Tommy Lasorda, Gabrielino exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third after St. Monica had scored a pair in the top half of the inning.

“We won today because we played our game and did what we were supposed to do,” said Gabrielino catcher Andy Tholt, who went 1 for 3 with a double in the third and a sacrifice bunt. “When we play that way, we’re doing all right.”

There was plenty of support from home, with Tholt’s parent’s Joe and
Holly on hand, as was his grandfather, Yosh Takenaka.

Pitcher Anthony Yoshinaga was brought in to put out the fire for St.
Monica in the third, but the Mariners had already fallen three runs behind. Yoshinaga threw scoreless ball until the bottom of the sixth, when he was touched up for four hits and two earned runs.

The Eagles entered the postseason as their bracket’s number one seed, one year removed from a last place finish. Though they are surely enjoying being able to play at the end of May, the Eagles maintain their approach and concentration will not waver.

“Our mentality is the same,” said head coach Joe Laski. “We try to focus on us the way we execute offensively, being productive in everything we do. When we’re doing those things well, we have success.”

Any historically significant season is one to remember, and the Eagles have provided plenty of nostalgia fodder for its fans. Playing their first year on a brand-new field, Gabrielino presented lopsided drubbings against Mountain View (14-4) and Rosemead (10-0) for their supporters.

The focal point for their success has been consistent, quality pitching. Gabrielino’s duelers helped the team compile an 18-6 overall regular season record (12-3 in league). Staff ace junior Angel Cabral (7-1) rode his stuff to four consecutive shutouts, including the 1-0 victory against at Arroyo. Entering the playoffs, he had not allowed an earned run in 36 innings.

Coming in to the season, the Eagles’ goal was to earn a trip to the CIF playoffs. Now that they have secured that ambition, and with their second season fast approaching, the team will look ahead but remain focused on the things that got them to this point.

“We have to play the way we have been all season,” said junior centerfielder
Matt Izumida before Thursday’s win. “Play hard, play smart, play together.”
Izumida was in the thick of the third inning rally against St. Monica, finishing the day with a hit, an RBI and a run scored.

“They were up for this game,” said Izumida’s father, Brian, who attended with his wife, Leticia. “They came out ready to play today.”

Gabrielino will await the winner of Friday’s first-round playoff game between
Duarte and perennial powerhouse Temple City. Before Thursday’s win, Tholt was not lacking any confidence.

“I think we can go undefeated,” he said. “There are no real stars out there.”

More Sports Stories...