All Jeremy Gabrillo wants to do is get on-base and help the Alexander Bulldogs win. There’s a reason why his teammates chant, “M-O-B,” — short for Mr. On-Base, which is his nickname — whenever he’s up to bat. And on Tuesday, he lived up to his moniker.
Alexander opened its two-game series against United South with a 4-1 win on Tuesday. Andy Gabrillo played a large part in the victory.
The junior went a solid 2 for 4 with two RBIs. His RBI single in the first inning gave the Bulldogs a quick lead that they held onto for the entire matchup. Then his other RBI single in the top of the fourth gave Alexander a 4-0 lead, a deficit too large for United South to overcome.
“He’s been doing his job,” Alexander head coach Fernando Lemus said. “The past few games, his bat is alive again. I am happy for him. I am happy about his performance.
Tuesday’s performance continued Gabrillo’s solid play in district. Through five league matchups, Gabrillo is hitting .400 with three runs and two RBIs. He’s been walked twice, too.
If Gabrillo can continue to bat well and get on-base for the Bulldogs for the remainder of the season, that should increase Alexander’s chances to succeed greatly.
The Bulldogs truly have a lineup where any player – No. 1-9 – can pop off at any given time. Guys such as Hector Benavides, Brytton Clements, Andrew De Leon, Max Valdez and JC Zepeda have all thrived at moments this year. So, to have Gabrillo heating up in the most important stretch of the season – Tuesday marked the midway point of Alexander’s district schedule – is that more beneficial for the Bulldogs.
“He’s one of our juniors,” Lemus said. “He is a three-year letterman for us. We are counting on his production there in the middle of the lineup. So, it’s always good for us when he gets going because he can do a lot of good things for us.
“He’s another bat in our lineup. I think our top three, four batters are big for us. If we can get that production in the middle of the lineup, get those runs and RBIs in, that will help us tremendously.”
Gabrillo credits his recent solid play to him staying positive.
In baseball, it's easy for a player to get frustrated and start slumping when things don’t go their way. Earlier in the year, the outfielder wasn’t performing to his usual standards, according to Lemus. However, Gabrillo didn’t let his poor play get to him and he bounced back nicely.
“Just a positive attitude,” Gabrillo said. “Not everything is going to go your way. But at the end of the day, I work hard and just stay with a positive mindset.”
Gabrillo has bat anywhere from the No. 4 hole to the No. 6 spot this season. He has enjoyed being in the middle of the order as it provides him with more RBI opportunities, which he captured in Tuesday’s win.
Alexander has some lofty goals. It wants to win District 30-6A outright and it wants to make a deep playoff run. And it has the talent to accomplish both benchmarks with ease this year.
If Gabrillo can continue to be Mr. On-Base – like he was in Tuesday’s game – that will help the Bulldogs tremendously. Gabrillo has proven that when he’s playing at his best, he’s a player who can change the outcome of a matchup. So, with five district games left this year, he looks to continue his recent solid play and continue to be the gamechanger he knows he is.
“Just anything I can do to help this team win, I’ll do it,” Gabrillo said. “We have been winning. So, whatever I have been doing has been working.
“My goal has always been to try to get on base and be a hard out, ever since freshman year. That’s been my goal: to try and get on base. I just try to put the ball in play and make the pitcher work. I want to make them work.”
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