The Tracy High School varsity baseball team built on their momentum with a thrilling comeback victory late in the game against the Patterson Tigers on Monday, Feb. 24. After trailing big most of the game, the Bulldogs took control with a seven run sixth inning, leaving the final score at 11-9.
“Wins like this build confidence,” Head Coach JaRell McIntryre said.
The Bulldogs never lost focus despite challenges. Patterson jumped out to an early lead, thriving on errors and timely hits, including RBI singles by Cole Medina and a double from Tyler Thorp.
Jace Johnson started the game for Tracy, going three innings with seven strikeouts, allowing five hits and four runs. Jacoby Freitas came in for relief in the fourth inning and was quickly welcomed by the Patterson offensive attack, leaving the score at 9-2 going into the bottom of the fifth. Freitas proceeded to settle in for the final innings and close out the game.
The Turning Point
Following some words of encouragement from Coach Mac about winning the final innings of the ballgame, the Bulldogs came out swinging in the top of the sixth, scoring seven runs on four hits while putting the pressure on the Patterson pitchers with great team at bats.
One of the biggest hits of the game came off the bat of Dylan Giannini, who ripped a double with the bases loaded, driving in three runs that proved to be a great swing in momentum in Tracy’s favor.
“Going into that at-bat, I just wanted to stay focused and look for a pitch I could drive,” Giannini shared. “When I saw the opportunity, I took it. Coming through for the team in that moment was huge.”
Brady Brown also played a vital role, collecting two hits, including a key double that
drove in three runs, helping fuel the comeback.
“We need to maintain energy whether we are up or down,” Brown said.
Josh Verduzco was one of the most important factors in the big inning as he led off with a single and drove in one of the final runs with a double in his second at bat of the inning.
“The game being tight just motivated me more really,” Verduzco said.
Hard Work Paying Off
“We’ve been preaching the importance of finishing games strong,” Coach Mac explained. “The guys have been practicing hard, focusing on winning those later innings, and tonight, it showed. They stayed composed and executed when it mattered most.”
The Bulldogs’ offense was relentless throughout the game, finishing with 11 hits. Giannini, Verduzco, and Brown each tallied two hits, while Josh Giuliacci reached base four times, walking three times and scoring twice.
Key defensive plays also kept Tracy in the game. In the final innings, the Bulldogs tightened up with strong fielding from Giannini at shortstop and Brown at third base, helping to shut down Patterson’s final efforts.
Preparing for the Next Game
“For the next game we will carry the mindset of starting games off strong, while more importantly having an even stronger finish,” Brown said.
As the Bulldogs prepare for their next game, this comeback victory stands as a testament to their resilience and team chemistry.
“The guys now know that no deficit is too big if they stick together and play hard until the final out,” Coach Mac said.
Tracy High looks to carry this momentum into their next game against Manteca on Wednesday, February 26th.
