Two weeks ago, Irving Nimitz reached new highs in the baseball program by winning its first playoff series in Nimitz baseball history and by surpassing the previous record high of 18 wins in a season. But evidently, the Nimitz Vikings were not satisfied with setting records as they came through at critical times to defeat the Belton Tigers 2-1 in their best of 3 Area Round Playoff series this past weekend.
Nimitz baseball has had its ups and downs since its start in 1968. In 2001, they finally made the playoffs but lost their Bi-District playoff to Arlington Martin. They were absent from the playoffs for 11 years and reached a low in 2011 when they did not win a single game.
Head Baseball Coach Robert Mendoza came to the program in 2012 and immediately was able to turn things around. In his 2nd year, Nimitz made the playoffs but lost to Flower Mound Marcus in Bi-District, recording a school record 18 wins in the season. In 2014, Nimitz made the playoffs again but lost in 3 games to Coppell.
But this year, Nimitz took the next step. Playing Richardson Pearce in a one game playoff, the Vikings got a great pitching performance from Braden Williams who shutout the Pearce Mustangs limiting them to just 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9. Nimitz won the game 2-0, getting a run in the 4th when Braden Williams scored on a double steal and a run in 6th on a Williams’ Sac Fly RBI. It was the first time a Nimitz baseball team advanced in the playoffs. The win was also their 19th of the season, the most wins in a season in their baseball history.
After setting 2 records the previous week, Nimitz moved on to play Belton in a best of 3 series in the Area Round of the playoffs. Nimitz lost the first game in a tight one, 1-0. But the Vikings were not ready to call it over.
In Game 2, Nimitz went to their Sophomore, Brandon Ross, on the mound. He had a very solid outing throwing 6 ⅓ innings while striking out five, and did a great job keeping Nimtz in the game. Josh Ragan and Rico Carrasco were able to contribute at the plate with 3 RBIs in the 5th to make the score 3-0. Rico Carrasco came in relief in the 7th with a runner on 1st and was able to earn the save in another tight one, the final score being 3-2. The win by Nimitz stopped a 19 game winning streak by the Belton Tigers.
In Game 3, Nimitz went to their Junior, Bryson Candelaria who held Belton to 1 run in 5 innings. Nimitz scored a run in the 1st inning with a leadoff triple from Braden Williams and an RBI triple from Josh Ragan. Senior, Alex Rodriguez came in the 6th to hold Belton to a 1-1 score. Nimitz came back with Rico in the top of the 7th to keep the game tied. Belton ended up scoring a run making it 2-1 going into the bottom of the 7th with the top of the lineup coming up for the Vikings. Braden Williams led off the inning with his 2nd triple of the game. Josh Ragan was intentionally walked, putting runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Rico Carrasco grounded out to the shortstop but Williams scored, tying the game at 2-2. With Ragan on 2nd and 2 outs, Andrew Torres stepped up to hit the walk off single to win the game, scoring Ragan from 2nd, and propelling the Nimitz Vikings into the Regional Quarterfinal round.
Coach Mendoza commented on his team, “From the starters to the guys on the bench, everyone has a role on this team. As coaches, we would say that every member of our team is a “key player” because each one has contributed to our success. With seniors like Josh Ragan, Braden Williams, Daniel Weatherford, Andrew Torres, Stephen Buffington, Alex Rodriguez, it’s easy for other guys on the team to step up. We have a young infield with Junior 3B Ryan Balfantz, Sophomore SS Brenden Williams, Freshman 2B Saul Garcia, and Junior 1B / Catcher Rico Carrasco. We’re very lucky to have all of them on the same field wearing the same uniform.”
Coaches also point to senior leadership and hard work as keys to the team’s success this year. But Assistant Coach Allen Somwang revealed another motivation for the team. “Dalton Debrick was a senior last year here at Nimitz, but before he began his first day of school as a freshman at Texas Tech, he passed away at a fraternity party while pledging. He was a great young man who cared about this program, baseball, and his teammates. Our kids are playing for him right now.”
This Nimitz Vikings baseball team certainly seems to be driven. “We knew that the game one loss was not going to be the deciding factor in our season, Coach Mendoza explained, “We have spent lots of hours in the weight room and on the field playing baseball, working on refining our craft as individuals so we can be successful as a team. It was an honor to watch our young men compete at the highest level and prove that Nimitz is one of the best programs in the state. This team is relentless! “
Irving Nimitz now faces 12-6A District Champion Rockwall in a Regional Quarterfinal Matchup. Games are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Grapevine High School.
Nimitz Players Rush to Mob Andrew Torres in Game 3
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