PREVIEW: Patriots’ skipper Mitchell to miss playoffs
- Updated: May 22, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (5-21-2018) – Assistant coach Bryan Mitchell will attempt to direct the Christian Patriots to victory, as an unfortunate accident from the field to the dugout left skipper Mike Mitchell unavailable to lead his team into battle Tuesday afternoon at Bonita Vista High School at 3:30 p.m.
We all wish him well, our thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family. Out of privacy for his family, we will not be scribing about his injury at this time.
The Patriots (12-16) are the No. 9 seed facing the No. 8 seed Bonita Vista Barons (13-14).
As far as the Patriots’ play this season, it has definitely been streaky, for lack of better words, however, an interesting fact learned by a very credible source, the Patriots play in the third toughest league in the United States, just a fact to keep in mind when looking at the losses suffered by the Patriots.
Bonita Vista are 3-1 in their last four contests. Also, the Barons did split their league wins, which is a great accomplishment, considering their league is pretty strong itself, with several talented teams.
The key players regarding the Barons roster include junior ALEC BRUCE, hitting .309 with 21 hits and 10 RBI, senior GUSTAVO PEREZ, hitting .275, with 19 hits, and 15 RBI, sophomore NATHAN NANKIL (.391), while junior OMAR VEGA (4-3, 2.70 ERA, could be the starting pitcher for the Barons.
In order for the Patriots to defeat the Barons, the seniors, BRADLEY JEREMIAH, GARRETT NIELSEN, and JACOB BECK, will need to be at the top of their game offensively.
In addition, Jeremiah needs to have a great game, however, all pitchers in the arsenal will be available, according to assistant coach Bryan Mitchell.
“We are really looking for Brad to throw a lot of strikes,” Bryan Mitchell said. “It would be great to see Brad have another great outing, but our other guys are ready to go if we need them.
And for us offensively, We are just looking for some consistency throughout the lineup. Our seniors at the top of the
lineup need to set the tone for the game, when they are hitting the rest of the lineup does as well.”
When asked about freshman TRENT NIELSEN coach Bryan Mitchell stated, “Trent has played a huge role for us all year and it’s going to be no different tomorrow. Trent is a big run producer for us, so hopefully the seniors at the top can be in a position for Trent to drive in some runs.
“CONNOR OHTON, ISAIAH OWENS, MATT ARMIJO and OWEN EASLEY will all play huge roles offensively and defensively,” said Bryan Mitchell.
The Patriots, with the tough schedule they played in the regular season, are very capable of defeating the Barons. After defeating the Patrick Henry Patriots quite easily to end the regular season, that should propel Christian into a win over the Barons, 8-6.
