Gemini win baseball home opener
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Tillsonburg Glendale HS Gemini baseball coach Derek Partlo is keeping team expectations to a minimum.
"None," Partlo smiled after Thursday's cold and windy TVRA South East Division home opener at Sam Lamb Field. "You never know in high school ball. We're hoping to win some games, hopefully enough to get into the A playoffs and see what we can do."
Winners of a TVRA B championship last season, the Gemini have a lot of returning players, including left-handed pitcher Brett Parsons, middle infielder Gus Ford and pitcher Mike Oliveira, along with new blood like Zach Rachar, giving them depth and experience.
"We haven't been out a lot because of the weather," said Partlo. "And in this weather, to score that many runs, it was nice to see."
Glendale tagged Dorchester 12-2 in a mercy-shortened five-inning game Thursday, scoring four runs in the second inning and eight in the third.
The Gemini were aggressive at the plate, said Partlo, and their pitchers were finding the strikezone.
Parsons pitched the first three innings, with eight strikeouts and six bases on balls, and Oliveira closed out the final two frames with three strikeouts.
"Your hands get cold, but eventually you just get the hang of it," said Oliveira, a second-year pitcher who quickly adjusted to single digit temperatures.
Coming from the southwest/west, the wind was mostly at the pitchers' backs, which amped up velocity and might have kept some fly balls in the air longer.
"It helps out a little bit," Oliveira nodded.
But it didn't change his gameplan as far as pitching high or low, fast or offspeed.
"I was just pitching my game and seeing what I could do to help the team out," said Oliveira.
Second-year Gemini catcher Kieran Rangel agreed the wind was a factor at the plate.
"The pitches are coming in a lot faster, they've got more heat to them," said Rangel. "It was harder for the batters, a lot harder."
Glendale, however, did well at the plate with at least a half-dozen hits.
"We've got some good hitters who stepped up to the plate and hit the ball," said Rangel.
Despite a long winter, Tillsonburg's diamond was in good shape.
"That's the good thing about our diamond," Partlo nodded. "It holds the water well because of the sandy soil. One year, I think we played five home games because our diamond was better. We maintain it well and we're able to get on it when they can't. We're glad to have that."
The Gemini are back on Sam Lamb Field Monday (3 p.m.) against Ingersoll.
"Then we're on a road trip," said Partlo.
Glendale will finish the South East regular season on the road May 7 (Central Elgin), May 12 (Laurier) and May 14 (Parkside).