Two established stars joined by transfer pitcher as Santa Ynez readies for season
The three captains for the Santa Ynez High baseball team made an impact on Tuesday, Feb. 24, for the Pirates in their 12-0 win over Santa Clara to open the season.
Returning junior Jaxon Glover, one of the team’s best hitters last year, belted his and the team’s first home run and drove in four runs. Diego Pulido, another solid presence on the team, went hitless, but still got on base often enough to score three runs.
However, it was player who wasn’t even with SYHS last year who made the biggest impact.
Pitcher Tristan Jeckell no-hit the visiting Saints while striking out 15 batters. The only thing keeping him from a perfect game was one hit batsman.
It was quite a debut for Jeckell, who transferred to SYHS this year from Santa Barbara High. Third-year head coach Craig Gladstone said the opening game shows he could be quite an addition.
“I have a lot of friends in Santa Barbara, and heard a lot about him when he was playing JV,” Gladstone said. “He’s a kid with a live arm, but had trouble with control, but we found a couple things we were able to tweak and he really looked good, obviously, in our season opener.”
For Jeckell, he thrilled to be back and be playing with a lot of players he played with and got to know well before coming, and just having fun again.
“I didn’t love it over there [at SBHS],” he said. “I didn’t agree with having to play JV. However, I had friends here that I grew up with, and when they told me about the program, I just wanted to hang out here and have fun playing again.”
When Jeckell looks to have success on the mound, he’ll be seeing Glover most likely as his batterymate. Glover will also have an interesting workload while serving as the team’s bullpen closer.
“I didn’t pitch much last year,” Glover said. “Last summer I was with the team that already had a lot of catchers, so I developed more as a pitcher, getting my velocity up to the 90s. So I should be able to do well closing this year.”
After high school season, Glover, who said he has decided to just play baseball in his senior season, has a busy summer getting his name out there for any future opportunities.
“This summer trying out for Area Code Games team, and I’m signed up for a couple of Prep Baseball Report Superstar Showcases,” Glover said. “And I’m also doing scout team for the Dodgers in LA. Got a fun season planned.”
Pulido is known for his football exploits as kicker during football season, but right now is one of three seniors on the team and looking to issue the leadership as a team captain.
“Just like with the other two captains, my responsibility is making sure everyone’s accountable and be respectable,” he said. “I think we really can do well in league and go far as a team.”
Pulido did his part in the Pirates’ second game of the season on Feb. 28, going 2-for-3 with two RBI in a 12-2 win over Nordhoff. Glover and sophomore Kyle Heiduk added two RBI apiece, while sophomore Elijah Roberts added another strong pitching performance allowing just five hits and two runs while striking out seven.
While Gladstone believes the Pirates will have tougher competition the farther they get into the season and Ocean League play, he believes they’ll be up to it.
“We lost nine seniors from last year and we’re young,” he said. “However, I think we’ll be more talented, and have a chance to win league this year. I’m excited about the farm system, the JV, and the players we’ll have not just this year, but the next.”
What Gladstone really likes is the vibe that this year’s team seems to have.
“The captains showing a lot of leadership,” he said. “The team now is mostly kids who want to play college ball, and they’re putting the work in. It’s like Disneyland coming to the field these days.”
Santa Ynez, now 2-0 pending games against Lompoc on Tuesday and Santa Clara again, this time in Oxnard, will return to action result against Lompoc, will return home Monday, March 9, against Channel Islands, and then have road games against Bishop Diego on Tuesday, March 10, and Dunn School on Saturday, March 14.
