Head Coach Jedd Soto giving a team jersey to Joe Peterson, brother of Jeff. Courtesy: SMC Athletics
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
On a windy Saturday afternoon the Saint Mary’s men’s baseball team squared off against former Gael alums at Louis Guisto Field. Past Gaels such as Neal McSherry, Brian Hawkins, Sam Carter, Brian Bryne, Michael Nisco, and JP Musgrove suited up and took the field once again. In all 33 former Gaels were in attendance and played in the first annual Jeff Peterson Alumni Game.
The afternoon kicked off when both teams lined up along the first and third baseline and head coach Jedd Soto presented the Peterson family a framed game jersey signed by the team as well as a #27 jersey which was the number worn by Peterson during his playing days.
Peterson’s brother Joe Peterson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and just like his brother split the plate down the middle.
When asked about playing in the game, former infielder Bryan Byrne ’06 had this to say, “Second time coming back and playing in this game, its a lot of fun coming back and playing with all these guys, catching up, seeing old faces playing a game we love.” Bryne added, “It’s also great to see the new team.”
The Gael faithful in attendance did get an excellent opportunity to preview the incoming group of talented freshman, and the 2009 men’s baseball team. Freshman Troy Channing and Ryan Amerongen showed off their bats, each clubbing a double in this spirited match-up.
Freshman James Palmer showed his speed as he turned a single off Alex Jensen ‘08 into a double when he took a hard left after rounding first and kept running, coming in safely.
The game remained close for the two innings, as Anthony Aliotti started off on the bump for the Gaels. Aliotti pitched three complete, scattering a few hits from the alum, and ultimately kept them off the board.
In the bottom of the third inning Saint Mary’s opened it up on the Alumni putting up five runs on the board, and coasted after that
Brian Justice took over for Aliotti and posted three scoreless innings, Brandon Berl followed after that.
The Gaels will return to the field next Wednesday, October 15, when they play an inter-squad scrimmage at AT&T Park in San Francisco at 2:45 PM. The Gaels are tentatively scheduled to begin the season on February 20th, when they host Oregon at 2:00 PM at Louis Guisto Field.
