Los Altos 10, Schurr 3
Friday, 3/5/04
It sure was a good start to the season for Los Altos baseball. Junior Daniel Sandello picked up the victory, pitching four solid innings for the Conquerors in the first game of the season.  Sandello limited Schurr�s hitters to only four basehits and struck out eight batters, rendering the Los Altos fielders unnecessary through the first two innings of play as Sandello recorded the first six outs via the strikeout. When asked why he struck out so many players, Sandello responded, �I ate my Wheaties for breakfast this morning.�  Senior Jason Estrada was not to be outdone.  He came in and pitched two solid innings of relief, striking out two batters. Sophomore Jesus Sanchez pitched a perfect 1-2-3 seventh inning to wrap up the victory.

The offense was quiet until the fourth inning when the middle of the lineup exploded for six runs. Sandello helped his own cause by starting the inning with a basehit.  Junior Matt Chambers followed with a walk, and Estrada promptly blooped a basehit for his first RBI of the season.  Senior Anthony �Chubrock� Ortiz collected his first RBI on Varsity with a screamer up the middle.  Junior Mike Ahumada kept the hit parade going with a Texas-leaguer to right field.  After a walk by speedster Junior Eddie Tomsio, Josh Cortez collected two of his three RBIs on the day with a single to left field.  In all, the Conquerors sent ten batters to the plate.

While Cortez had a great day at the plate, he also was the defensive star of the game.  Born and bred a natural second baseman, Cortez pulled off the anti-Craig Biggio � making the transition from middle infield to catcher.  He had the coaching staff raving and even elicited comparisons to Ivan �Pudge� Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers.  When confronted with the comparison, Cortez shrugged and said, �I kind of like to think of myself more as a Jorge Posada.� Cortez�s strong performance behind the plate had injured sophomore catcher Mario Romero a little concerned.  He remarked, �Cortez looked like a natural out there � there may not be a spot for me behind the plate when I get healthy.� To which, Cortez responded, �I�m not sure about that� I just try to live by my first rule in life of always being prepared.�
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Estrada trying to put out the fire....
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