The Willow Glen Resident

Rams move up, and win two of first three games

By Dick Sparrer

Willow Glen won more than a league baseball championship last spring.

The Rams not only won the title in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, but also a trip to the Mount Hamilton Division.

And first-year head coach Gary Rose is hoping that his Rams make the most of the opportunity.

"If we minimize errors and maximize opportunities," said Rose, "I expect we will fare better than others anticipate."

Four players return from the Willow Glen varsity squad that posted a 15-3 record and won a division title a year ago, and Rose expects them to lead the Rams to further glories this spring.

"This season promises to be exciting," he said. "We expect our big playmakers to step up and deliver and our team in general to play as a solid unit."

Senior returners Sal Politi, David Dudley, Eric Brugioni and Brett Magnani join with sophomore newcomer Will Rideau to lead the Willow Glen effort this season.

Politi, Magnani, Brad White and Jeremy Holt head up a solid senior pitching corps, with the veteran Brugioni calling the signals behind the plate. Politi patrols center field when not on the mound, and Magnani plays first base when not pitching.

Dudley is a power-hitting third sacker for the Rams, and Rideau is expected to see action both at shortstop and in the outfield. The sophomore could also see some time on the mound for the Rams.

Willow Glen picked up its second win of the young league season with a 4-1 victory over Santa Teresa last week, but the Rams were stung 4-3 by Gunderson a few days later.

Chris Ferraro's double led a five-hit attack for Willow Glen in the loss.

The loss evened Willow Glen's season record at 4-4. The Rams will try to push up over the .500 mark this week when they host a tough Oak Grove club on March 18, 3:30 p.m. The Rams face a bye Friday before visiting Valley Christian on March 23, 3:30 p.m.

Rose rates Valley as the team to beat in the division this season, and the Warriors are off to a solid 3-0 start in league play.

The Rams are close behind at 2-1 after opening the year with back-to-back wins over Pioneer and Santa Teresa.

Willow Glen scored a run in the bottom of the 10th to pull out a thrilling 2-1 win over Pioneer in the league opener for each club.

Politi tossed seven innings of four-hit baseball but left the game with no decision and the score tied 1-1. White came on in relief to pick up the mound win.

Dudley led the bat attack for the Rams in the win with a pair of doubles. Senior Ray Jackman also doubled for Willow Glen.

Jamel Choudry doubled in the game for Pioneer.

Jackman ripped two hits, and Politi drove in two runs to lead the Rams to the 4-1 win over Santa Teresa last week. Holt went the distance to flip a nifty two-hitter for the mound win.

The Rams wrapped up the nonleague season with a tight 8-6 win over Andrew Hill. Politi was the winning pitcher and helped his own cause at the plate with a pair of doubles. Jackman blasted a home run, and White had two hits for the Rams.

Earlier that week, Dudley doubled and singled twice, and Joe Cistulli doubled for the Rams in a 6-5 loss to Independence in 10 innings.

Brugione and Dudley each blasted home runs, but the Rams lost a 17-9 decision to Santa Clara. Dudley homered and singled in the game, and Jackman singled and doubled. White had two hits and Magnani drove in two runs.

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