Huskies topple Jacks on the road

QUINCY — The Othello Huskies (8-2) defeated the Quincy Jacks (2-10) with a convincing 19-1 final score.  

“We had a good approach,” Head Coach Sonny Garza said. “Have an approach at the plate, have a plan and stick with that plan no matter what. Sometimes in baseball, things aren't going to go your way. You're not going to execute, but as long as you stick with the plan, each and every single pitch, each and every single at bat, sooner or later, it's going to pay off, and that's what I felt really worked for the boys today.”  

The Jacks got on the board first with a run by Ashton Barnes-Keller, who scored on a catcher's error. However, the Huskies responded with an eight-run inning in the second to claim the lead. From there, they never looked back as they scored 11 more runs to secure the win in five innings.  

“They stuck to the plan no matter what. They just continued to work at it and it continued to work out for several of them,” Sonny said. “It was good to see them work with the plan and actually understand what they're trying to do, and then actually seeing them execute it.” 

The Huskies top scorers were Trey Tovar and Aaden Montes with three runs each. Leading the team in RBIs were RJay Garza and Tyler Suarez with four each. Part of this offensive efficiency helped Othello jump out to an 8-1 lead after the second inning.  

From there, both teams would be held scoreless through the third inning. However, the Huskies got back on track and started to build on their lead. In the top of the fourth, Suarez, RJay, Montes, Zayvier Olazcon, Aiden Garza and Noah Ozuna got home to increase their lead to 14-1.  

In between innings, the Jacks Head Coach David Garza encouraged his players to keep playing hard.  

“I'm trying to set a precedent that this also insinuates what life is going to be like as well. People aren't perfect, we make mistakes and we have difficult moments. Tough seasons in our life that you need to understand that everyone gets through them,” he said.  

Despite their best efforts, the Jacks were unable to pull off a comeback as the Huskies added five more runs in the fifth before striking out the Jacks to seal the win. As they move further into the season, David said they are going to focus more on their preparation.  

“In every sport, the way you practice kind of leads into how you get yourself ready for the game,” he said. “You have to work through all those things in all those situations to be able to intensify your own urgency. And I think that's one thing we've been lacking is the urgency.”  

For the Huskies, Quade Gonzalez pitched all five innings, only allowing two hits and striking out eight batters. Gonzalez has taken over as Othello’s leading pitcher this season and has come along well this season, Sonny said.  “I feel that he's been doing great. He's really been focusing on it and really working hard at it. We know he's been a guy who can throw work really well for us. I'm just really happy to see him go out there and be successful,” Sonny said.  

The Jacks host Toppenish on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. The Huskies also return to the ballpark Saturday when they host East Valley in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.   

BOX SCORE

OTHL: 0-8-0-6-5: 19 

QNCY: 1-0-0-0-0: 1 

    The Jacks’ Rocko Reyes (11) fires off his next pitch against the Othello Huskies Tuesday.
  

    The Huskies’ Aaden Montes (22) tags out Jaxon Porter at second base despite his best efforts to slide under the tag.
  

    The Huskies’ Aaden Montes (22) tags out Jaxon Porter at second base despite his best efforts to slide under the tag.
  

    The Othello Huskies’ RJay Garza looks over to his coach after making it to third base against the Quincy Jacks Tuesday.
  

    The Jacks’ Caleb Kukes (3) sprints toward first base after hitting the ball into the outfield against Othello Tuesday.