Stallions do just enough for win

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Madera South’s Jorge Gutierrez throws a pitch during Tuesday’s victory over Madera. Gutierrez tossed a three-hitter and struck out seven batters.

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The Madera South Stallions baseball team scored three runs in the first two innings and pitcher Jorge Gutierrez made it stand up for a 3-1 victory over the Madera Coyotes at Eddie Chapa Field.

Gutierrez celebrated the team’s 14 seniors with a three-hitter. He struck out seven, but his five walks created a lot of pressure on the bases. However, the Coyotes went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“He’s been great all year long. He’s a guy we can rely on,” Madera South head coach Alan Sandoval said.

The Stallions were just a little better with runners in scoring position. They went 3-for-9, but that was in the first two innings.

“Usually we get a lot of hits, but we don’t drive in a lot of runs,” Sandoval said. “This time, we didn’t get a lot of hits, but the opportunities we had, we drove runners in. That’s baseball.”

Lead-off hitter Anthony Gamiz scored a pair of runs and drove in one. Elijah Tang hit an RBI triple and Gilbert Moisa also had an RBI single for the Stallions.

“Gamiz has done a good job at the lead-off spot,” Sandoval said. “Whoever is hot is going to hit there. We were able to take advantage of our opportunities and that was enough for Jorge.”

Although the Stallions scored three runs in the first two innings, Madera pitcher Joel Arellano kept the Coyotes in the game. He lasted until two were out in the bottom of the sixth because of pitch count.

“He definitely threw very well,” Madera head coach Andy Underwood said of his pitcher. “He was at about 50 pitches after two innings. After that, he threw very well. He controlled the game and controlled the hitters.”

“Arellano is a really good pitcher. He’s going to be good for a long time,” Sandoval said.

Gutierrez limited the Coyotes to just three hits and two came from No. 9 batter Adam Arias, who scored Madera’s lone run.

“We were on our heels all game,” Underwood said. “They took the early lead. We had guys on bases, but it was tough to put guys in motion. There was a couple of situations. We were never in a good position all game to strike.

“They are a solid. They have a good team. We just haven’t clicked this year.”

Madera lead-off batter Adam Landero reached on an infield, high-chopper single to open the game. He advanced to second on a Logan Wattenbarger sacrifice. However, Gutierrez got a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the inning.

Like Madera’s lead-off batter, Gamiz led off the bottom of the first by reaching base, a full-count walk.

Gamiz stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gilbert Moisa singled up the middle to drive in Gamiz for the early 1-0 lead.

Moisa stole second and went to third on a flyout by Xavier Cantu. Brian Monges drew a walk, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Madera South added to its lead in the second. Aiden Sua drew a walk and Gutierrez sacrificed him to second.

After a strikeout, Gamiz singled up the middle to drive in Sua for a 2-0 lead.

Tang took the first three pitches for a ball. He looked at what he thought was ball four for a walk. However, the umpire called a strike. Tang took another strike. Then, he launched the full-count pitch to deep centerfield, over Wattenbarger’s head. He raced into third with a triple while Gamiz easily scored for a 3-0 lead.

Madera cut into the lead in the next half inning. Arias led off the inning with a ground-rule double over the left-centerfield fence. After a strikeout, Wattenbarger and Eric Wilson walked to load the bases.

Arellano forced out Wilson at second, but Arias came in for the run.

From there, Gutierrez retired eight of the next nine batters before running into trouble in the sixth when he walked two batters with one out.

“I tried to keep calm on the mound and throw strikes,” Gutierrez said. “They told me this is where I thrive and to throw strikes.”

He got a flyout and a strikeout to end the inning. Gutierrez closed the game with a four-pitch seventh with three flyouts to centerfielder Tang.

Madera South had one more chance to add to its lead. Arellano retired 10 batters from the third to the seventh inning to keep the Coyotes in the game.

Monges singled with one out in the sixth. After a strikeout, Sua blooped a double into shallow left field to put runners at second and third. That chased Arellano and Nick Sweet came in relief.

Sweet threw just one pitch as a groundout ended the rally.

The Coyotes and Stallions finished their three-game series on Thursday at Mel Parker Field.