By: Lucas de Lima and Cody Abney
The Redwood Rangers had one more step before completing their undefeated 2023 league season: beat their arch-rivals the Mt. Whitney Pioneers.
They got their undefeated league season, and an East Yosemite League [EYL] title as well.
The Rangers beat the Pioneers by a score of 1 to 0. The winning pitcher was Erik Rico, our very own Redwood Gigantea member.
This year’s senior night capped off the undefeated league season for the Rangers, finishing 15-0. On the way to the unblemished record, they beat the Pioneers by a combined score of 18-2 over 3 victories.
(Photo Gigantea)
Ty Potts ’23 started first base for all of those games, but senior night on May 10 was the most special.
“That was definitely the most people we’ve had at Aaron Hill Field for a game this year, which was exciting to have” says Potts.
As far as the game itself, it was tightly contested. Potts says, “It was a good baseball game and they played pretty good. Their pitcher pitched his ass off. That was good for us to see going into playoffs.”
The Rangers will play San Luis Obispo in the first round of the California Interscholastic Federation [CIF] Division 1 playoffs on May 17 at the aforementioned Aaron Hill Field.
(Photo Gigantea)
Elijah “Chico” Mendez ’23 also enjoyed the sentimental feeling of senior night. “My experience on senior night was really good, … knowing this [is] our last ride and last time being able to conquer something for ourselves,” says Mendez.
Mendez also gave us some insight on how his baseball career has been at Redwood, saying, “My career as a Redwood baseball player was fun and eventful. I had a good time with the coaches and players, and felt connected with the team on and off the field.
That bond with teammates is also something Reece Bueno ’23 will never forget, “These four years have been special and I could not imagine being on any other team,” he says.
(Photo Gigantea)
All three of the seniors will miss the whole experience, but there are certain things they will have the most nostalgia about. For Bueno that would be the, “team dinners and the coaching staff.” Mendez will miss the, “talks, the fun, [and] the laughter.” Potts will miss, “the way we all get along.”
After their season is complete, they will have to look forward to their college duties.
Bueno will be playing baseball at Cal Poly and will major in Business Administration. Mendez will attend Fresno State and major in Mass Communication. Potts will attend Tufts University in Boston and play baseball in his second year.
While looking to the future, Bueno also reflects on what he would tell his younger baseball-loving self.
Bueno says, “Never listen to the negative comments that other people say about you, stay focused and healthy, appreciate every time you get to take the field, and always thank God for allowing you to play the game we all love.”
Lucas de Lima
Lucas de Lima, '25, is a proud managing editor and sports writer for the Redwood Gigantea. Outside of journalism, he is part of the FBLA and FFA organizations, as well as the tennis program. You can reach him by email at lucas.de3708@vusd.us
Tags: Baseball, cal poly, California Interscholastic Federation playoffs, Cody Abney, East Yosemite League title, Elijah "Chico" Mendez, Erik Rico, fresno state, Keywords: Redwood Rangers, Lucas De Lima, Mt. Whitney Pioneers, rangers, Redwood, redwood baseball, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, Reece Bueno, rhs, rhs baseball, San Luis Obispo, senior night, Ty Potts, undefeated season, visalia ca
