It was a critical game for the San Antonio Marshall Rams on April 8th. They were sitting at 6-6 in district and facing a tough game with the 2nd Place San Antonio O’Connor Panthers. In a must win situation, Marshall pulled out a 3-2 win over O’Connor, thanks to Jeremy Garcia’s gutsy performance on the mound. Garcia pitched a complete game giving up only 5 hits, 2 BB, and 2 unearned runs.
What makes Garcia’s performance more incredible is the fact that just 3 weeks earlier, Jeremy spent a week in the hospital with complications from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a disease that affects the bile ducts in and around the liver. He was diagnosed with this disease just before the start of baseball season this year. And not only does he battle with this chronic disease, but he also is a Type 1 Diabetic and has Ulcerative Colitis. Jeremy battles these things every day and has good days and bad days.
Marshall Head Coach Dennis Schlueter says Jeremy is a great team leader and the soul of the Marshall baseball team. “He is always positive and rallies the troops when things do not go as expected. He shows us all how to handle adversity on a day to day basis. If you saw him you wouldn’t be able to tell that he struggles because he is so positive and has a great outlook on life. He never complains but looks to help his teammates in anyway that he can. The team feeds off of his positive vibe and attitude.”
Jeremy has pitched 33 innings this year and is 3-2 on the season with a 1.69 ERA. He has struck out 21 batters while only walking 8. He has allowed only 8 earned runs in the 33 innings. Not only was he instrumental in the big win over O’Connor but also got the victory in an earlier 4-1 win over Brennan.
Jeremy’s contributions of key pitching performances, leadership and inspiration is keeping the Marshall Rams alive in the race to secure one of the playoff spots.
Jeremy Garcia, left with teammates Ryan Bias, Brandon Montezdeoca.
-Tim Baugh
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