Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by George Caratzas
In Rich Gonzalez’s seventh year leading the Brentwood Spartans, they went 5-13. Now in year eight, Gonzalez is looking to a group consisting of four captains to lead Brentwood to success
“Experience helps us dramatically,” Gonzalez said in an interview with Axcess Baseball. “We needed that spark last year to help us extend our lineup. Now, we feel more comfortable with ourselves being a year older and more experienced.”
The Spartans have four captains: Ezekiel Hernandez, Luiyi Gomez, Nathaneal Alvarez and Rylain Vega.
Hernandez figures to head Brentwood’s rotation as a senior. Of the Spartans five victories last season, Hernandez was named the winning pitcher in three of them as the ace. He pitched to a 3.98 ERA in 28 innings, while striking out 33 batters.
“He’s a quiet captain but he leads by example,” Gonzalez said. “His fastball hovers around 85 miles per hour and has a really good breaking pitch. Overall, he’s a good kid. He comes to the park every day very energetic. Ezekiel is definitely someone that we can rely on, especially on a team that doesn’t have a lot of pitching.”
Aside from Hernandez, Brentwood lacks much pitching depth. The Spartans will need to rely on their bats to grab victories. Hitting near the top of the order will be Gomez, who enters his senior year as the starting center fielder. Gomez profiles as a speedster patrolling center, as he hit .276 with 5 stolen bases with Gonzalez tabbing him to likely hit second in the order.
“Very fast,” Gonzalez said. “He has a solid bat. He struggled to start last year, but finished strong. Very strong glove in center field and a pesky hitter. Luiyi has a bit of pop but he’s really looking to hit the ball to all fields and doesn’t strike out a lot.”
At the hot corner, Gonzalez will roll out Alvarez, who is a senior. As a junior, Alvarez hit .268 and drove in four runs.
“Nathaneal is going to be our starting third baseman,” Gonzalez said. “He’s played numerous positions for us in the past, but he’s going to be our guy at third. He has a very quiet demeanor and great leadership skills.”
As for the final captain, Vega is a junior that will be Brentwood’s shortstop. Last season, he hit .285 while driving in five runs and stealing five bags.
“He’s definitely one of the better shortstops in the league in my opinion,” Gonzalez said. “He’s got a solid bat, a solid glove. Everything he does is solid. We’re looking for him to be our leader on offense hitting third in the lineup. We’re really looking forward to getting a great year out of Rylain.”
Aside from captains, Brentwood has options around the diamond. Senior Yairo Paulino will man right field with freshman DJ Vittorato flanking him in left.
Filling out the infield, Abel Peralta will hold down second base as a senior.
“Abel is a senior that comes to play hard,” Gonzalez said. “He practices hard, plays hard, takes everything seriously. He’s a no-nonsense type of kid. He brings a lot of energy and excitement to add to the team. Abel is a scrappy hitter that uses all fields and has a really good glove at second base. I feel comfortable putting him anywhere in the infield but he’s especially solid at second.”
Behind the dish, Gonzalez will look to junior Jaison Almonte to anchor the defense.
“Jaison is a joy to coach,” Gonzalez said. “I was taken back because Jaison was on JV last year, and I was surprised watching how dramatically he’s improved behind the plate. He’s got a good contact bat, a good arm and is a good defender. Jaison is definitely that type of leader that wants to be the leader on the team. He doesn’t dread anything, he wants to be out there.”
As a team, the Spartans will rely on putting the ball in play to hopefully score enough to counteract a thin pitching staff.
“Last year, we had some pop but this year we don’t have that,” Gonzalez said. “What we do have is a lot of contact hitters and we’re hoping that they can all play a role. If they all step up and play a solid, consistent role, I think we can have some fun this year.”
Brentwood will open its season on the road, taking on Longwood on April 1.
“The season for Brentwood will be exciting as they have put the work in and, win or lose, you can be rest assured they will compete to the best of their abilities.”
