Gators marching into playoffs

But when you’ve had as much success as Green Valley’s baseball program has, it certainly feels that way.

The Gators, who have won eight state titles since 1993, were in that unusual spot less than a month ago, sitting two games below .500 on April 9.

But Green Valley (20-10, 13-1 Southeast) has won 12 straight after Wednesday’s 7-1 victory over Silverado, clinching the Southeast League title and marching into the postseason on an upswing.

“I know for a fact that this program’s never been 8-10,” Green Valley coach Nick Garritano said. “It’s just nice to see that we’ve turned that corner and can smile at that stuff in the rear-view mirror and focus on the present and future.”

It was tough for the Gators to smile earlier in the season. They started 2-5, then won four of five, only to lose four of the next five.

“We were really up and down, and at one point in the season, nothing was going right for us,” Garritano said.

“It was just a fight, and there was a lot of negativity going around. But winning cures a lot of that stuff.”

Such is the way with baseball. One good at-bat leads to another. Each solid performance relieves the pressure and makes it that much easier to do well the next time.

“Everyone’s just relaxing more,” sophomore shortstop Brett Harrison said. “And all the people that should be stepping up are starting to step up.”

And baseball is something to look forward to again.

“We’re really starting to pick each other up on the field and we’re having fun,” senior second baseman Jordan Van Hoosier said. “We really gained team confidence and it’s just rolled — like a snowball effect.”

Having a healthy Van Hoosier has helped. Van Hoosier, who has signed with San Diego State, missed all or parts of 10 games with hamstring and shoulder injuries.

Finally healthy, he has kept his average near .600.

“It takes us to a whole different level,” Garritano said of having Van Hoosier in the lineup. “He’s got a ton of base on balls and hit by pitches, and he’s really not being pitched to a lot. I give him a lot of credit for being patient and putting it in the hands of his teammates.”

Van Hoosier has been the catalyst in the leadoff spot, where he can change a game with his bat or speed.

“Any time he gets on base, he’s a threat to steal bases,” Garritano said. “It alters some pitch calling for other teams and helps out our hitters behind him. He’s one of those kids that are special high school players that can change games by themselves.”

Van Hoosier’s presence also has helped take the pressure off Harrison, who has settled in as the team’s No. 3 hitter and top RBI threat.

Harrison, whose older brother Matt starred at Green Valley and plays for North Carolina, was hitting .286 with three home runs on April 21.

Eight days later, he had raised his average to .367 with five home runs.

“He’s got a little bit of the little brother syndrome in having to follow Matt’s footsteps,” Garritano said. “The thing that we all have to remember is Brett’s only a sophomore.”

Garritano said he reminded Harrison he didn’t have to do things by himself. Harrison seems to have adopted that attitude.

“It’s just a confidence thing,” Harrison said. “I’m just starting to realize that it’s just a game and its not all on my shoulders.
”I’m just trying to be a piece of the puzzle and not the whole puzzle.”

At one point, it was a puzzle that looked as if it would remain in pieces. Now, the Gators look like a serious threat to make a return trip to the state tournament.

“A lot of people at the beginning thought it would be a down year for us,” Van Hoosier said. “I always believed we had the players and the talent to … accomplish what we needed to do. It’s a good feeling.”