It doesn't get much more heartbreaking than losing a section title on a walk-off hit in extra innings but that's exactly what happened to the Pioneer High School varsity baseball team last season.
The Patriots (23-6, 16-2 Golden Empire League) lost 3-2 against Central Catholic of Modesto in the Division III CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championship game on May 25 at Islanders Park in Lathrop. Eight Pioneer players graduated in the Class of 2023 but the Patriots "won't have to rebuild, just keep reloading," according to head coach Craig Marquez.
"It was a big success being able to have a 20+ win season and make it as far as we did at the Division III level," Marquez recalled. "Our first appearance in the state tournament was huge for the program and an attribute to all the hard work that the kids put into it."
Despite reigning GEL co-MVP Carson Timothy departing for UC Santa Barbara and GEL honorable mention Ryan Pearson heading to Butte College, Pioneer brings back four GEL honorees. Senior Matias Michel and juniors, Drew Van Court and Landon Dahler, are among the returning first-team selections and honorable mention, junior Luke Ferreira, is also back.
"We have five returning guys that have had quality at bats and time on the mound. Replacing (Timothy and Pearson) will be tough but Michel rolls right into it. He had good, if not better, stats than Timothy in league the past couple of years so he'll spearhead the pitching staff," Marquez explained. "You can't replace a Pearson and a Carson with what they contributed to the team. Moving forward, this is one of the first years that I don't have an underclassmen on the roster. All that experience they've gained the past couple of years will be huge for us.
"Michel is going to come up huge and continue doing what he's done the past few years. Jack Cullison will be at shortstop most of the time as a junior. Ferreira is a returning all-league player that fills in nice with another left-hand bat. Dahler had a huge run in the playoffs for us and in the season. Sammy Sanchez will step up for us as well being one of our guys in the pitching rotation along with Ben Reis. That's leaving out Drew Van Court, who has inked his way to TCU, so we have a great core coming back."
The Patriots fell one game short of the GEL title, as its series against crosstown rival Woodland, ultimately proved to be the difference. However, 12 Wolves graduated, making the league arguably Pioneer's to lose.
"Every year we set goals as a team and feel we have a chance to win the GEL," Marquez said. "That's another top priority for us again this year, making it into the tournament and see what happens there. I definitely would love to get back on top of the GEL this year."
League play begins on March 12 with a three-game series versus Mesa Verde. The crosstown GEL foes will play a three-game set the following week, beginning on March 19. The regular season concludes on April 26 with the finale of a three-game series against Rio Linda.
Notable non-league contests include the home opener on Friday against Fairfield, which may be moved to Thursday due to rain. Next week, Pioneer has a three-game road trip at Del Oro, Vanden and Roseville. The Patriots compete in a tournament at Folsom on March 25, where they will play the host Bulldogs and Union Mine.
"With as many kids returning and the experience they were exposed to last year, you want to make a run. I've been doing this long enough where, one, it takes a special group to make a run for the section title. But you also have to have some lucky breaks go your way as well," Marquez explained. "From year-to-year, you never know how the team will gel together. These kids have been playing together for a long time. I do expect another good run but in that tournament it's so tight. Those first two games, we won by one run, so if it goes the other way then we're not playing anymore in the section. A little bit of luck comes a long with everything else that goes with it.
"As far as the core, on paper it looks just as nice once we get into the tournament to see how far we can go. With the dedication and focus this group has, I expect us to make it into the tournament and win a few games. A goal would be to win the section but it's about getting hot at the right time. Hopefully with our preseason and league schedules, it prepares us to make a run at the end."
Pioneer travels to Ceres to play at Central Valley (0-2) on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
"I preach to the kids all the time, just enjoy each game because at some point in your life, this game tells you that you can't play anymore whether if its due to injury, athletic ability or what not," Marquez said. "I want the team to enjoy each game to the fullest, have fun times with your high school friends and play some baseball along the way to make memories throughout the season."
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