Gleason shines but Eagles fall

Steve Virgen

Tucked away in the background of an uneventful spring break baseball

tournament game Tuesday was Estancia High sophomore pitcher Ryan

Gleason.

It would have been easy to overlook his talent, considering he hit

four batters, including three in one inning.

Gleason was also hard to notice since a coach, Estancia’s Jon

Green, displayed more emotion than anyone playing the game.

The Eagles lost, 5-1, to visiting Covina in a consolation

quarterfinal of the Pride of the Coast Tournament Tuesday, when

Gleason gave a bit of credence to Green’s belief that the sophomore

is on the verge of becoming a special player.

Gleason pitched a three-hitter. He struck out three and allowed

five runs (two unearned) in a complete-game performance that included

127 pitches.

While his curveball needs minor adjustment, Gleason has found

comfort in his fastball, Green said.

“With him, it’s just a matter of making the adjustments,” Green

said. “All our pitchers need to learn how to settle down through the

early innings, and Ryan knows that. Ryan’s young. He has so much

talent; It’s just a matter of harnessing it.

“I hope he’s around for the next two years. He has a good future

in Estancia baseball and a good future, I’m sure, beyond that.”

Gleason endured a rough second inning, when he hit three batters,

including two in a row, after issuing a walk. Covina’s Jason Munoz’s

double drove in two and, after a third run was forced in on another

hit by pitch to give the visitorss (9-6) a 3-0 lead.

However, Gleason allowed just two hits the rest of the way. He

battled throughout, gaining valuable experience that could make him a

player to watch in the coming years.

He gathers inspiration when he hears talk of his potential.

“It definitely motivates me,” Gleason said of his expectations.

“I’m a sophomore and I’m throwing in varsity games, and it only means

I have two years to work on my stuff. The people who talk probably

try to put [pressure] on me, but I really don’t look at it that way.

I just go out there and throw strikes.”

The Estancia defense supported Gleason with two double plays.

Freshman Evan Van Geem stepped up with an unassisted double play with

the bases loaded in the fourth inning loaded. Van Geem, who usually

plays shortstop or second base, dropped a hard line drive, but he

quickly picked it up, tagged a runner heading home, then stepping on

third for the force.

Van Geem is playing in place of Estancia sophomore Greg Hughes,

the Eagles’ leadoff hitter who is out for the season with a knee

injury, Green said. Green also said Hughes was probably the best

leadoff hitter in the Golden West League.

Juniors Cullen Crom and Matt Ronquillo opened the sixth inning

with back-to-back singles for the Eagles (3-12). Crom advanced to

third on a wild pitch and junior Jeremy Hauser earned an RBI with his

sacrifice fly to center field.

The Eagles will host Tesoro in a 13th-place semifinal today at 3

p.m. Green is expecting to send freshman Mike McDaniels to the mound.

Green is also hoping the Eagles can gather some momentum as they

head back into league play. Green sees potential in his entire team,

not just Gleason.

If the Eagles can cut down on mistakes they should be able to turn

their season around, Green said.

“We’ve got seven league games left,” Green said. “We’re going to

battle to the end. I think we can still finish in the top three in

the league. That’s how I’m going to coach these kids and that’s how I

expect the kids to play.”

*--*

Pride of the Coast Tournament

Consolation quarterfinal Covina 5, Estancia

1

Score by Innings

Covina 030 200 0 -- 5 3 1

Estancia 000 001 0 -- 1 5 4

Ortega, Gutierrez (6) and Galvez; Gleason

and Crom. W -- Ortega. L -- Gleason, 0-3.

2B -- Munoz (C)

*--*