With the 2025 baseball season already starting, the Reds are committed to making it one of the best.
This year's varsity team consists of 15 players who have all bought into the team's goals and already have good team chemistry.
Craig Beevers has been the head coach for the Gustine Reds baseball team for the last four years, starting his fifth this year. He is dedicated to achieving the team's goal of winning Southern League Champions this year, which they just fell short of last year when they placed second place in the league.
Last year's team went 15-11 overall and 11-3 in league. They were able to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
"This upcoming season is going to be exciting and fun to watch. We have a couple of good pitchers and are aggressive on the base paths. I'm excited to see Alex Quezada pitch this year, we are going to rely on him to carry us on the mound, and also our seniors, Michael Salsa, Jake Campbell, Lucas Malone, and Mike Saaranzin are all going to have to step up to be successful" Beevers states.
Losing four seniors from last year who were key players leaves this year's team a challenge to fill their shoes.
The Reds aren't trying to change anything, they want to buy into what they have already established. With the Reds playing the way they have been, they are on the path to end up first or second in the league. So far this season, the Reds have played five games having a current record of 2-3, with 10-0 wins against Orestimba and Pacheco.
"I think we are in the process right now of starting the Reds tradition, we have great support from all of our parents now. It would be nice to see more support from the community and the alumni, these boys have worked hard to be a bright spot in Gustine High School sports" Beevers adds.
Gustine took care of business in their home opener (and then some) on Tuesday. They put the hurt on the Orestimba Warriors with a sharp 10-0 victory. The Reds have seen this before: they got the W the last time they saw the Warriors, too.
Lucas Malone and Alexander Quezada made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Malone pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Quezada didn't allow a single earned run while striking out six over four innings pitched. At the plate, Malone scored a run while going 2-for-4, while Quezada scored three runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, Mike Saaranzin was excellent, scoring a run and stealing three bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Daniel Navarro was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-2.
Gustine was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .407. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Orestimba only posted a batting average of .227.
Since then, Gustine has claimed another 10-0 victory over Pacheco on Feb. 19 and took three losses.
The Gustine Reds will kick off league play on March 4 at Stone Ridge Christian.
Roster: Jake Campbell, Alexander Quezada, Mike Saaranzin, Avery Ethridge, Ryan Barcellos, Michael Salsa, Daniel Navarro, Irvin Castro, Tommy Calderon, Blake Vaz, Lucas Malone, Ben Travao, Abner Caballero, Frank Silveira, Luke Avila
SCHEDULE
2/25 @ Modesto High 3:30 pm
2/26 @ Orestimba 3:30 pm
2/28 vs Orestimba 3:00 pm
3/4 @ Stone Ridge 3:30 pm
3/6 vs Stone Ridge 3:30 pm
3/11 vs Delhi 4:00 pm
3/13 @ Delhi 4:00 pm
3/18 @ Waterford 4:00 pm
3/20 vs Waterford 4:00 pm
3/25 vs Mariposa 4:00 pm
3/27 @ Mariposa 4:00 pm
4/1 vs Denair 4:00 pm
4/3 @ Denair 4:00 pm
4/8 @ Le Grand 4:00 pm
4/10 vs Le Grand 4:00 pm
4/15 @ Modesto Christian 4:00 pm
4/17 vs Modesto Christian 4:00 pm
