August 12, 2007

Post exceeded coach's outlook
By Conor Tekautz/Enterprise staff writer

The goal of any team is to peak once the postseason rolls around. In dismantling its competition en route to the District 6 and Area 1 titles, Yolo Post 77 did just that.

The team was playing so well that it surprised coach Matt Castles.

“To win that tournament in the fashion that we did was amazing. We had a great run going,” Castles said. “The five games in the area tournament were the best five games - especially offensively - that we've had all year and I think we had more than 10 hits in every game.”

But for some reason, the momentum Yolo had from winning the area tournament completely disappeared at the state tournament in Yountville.

Both games Yolo lost in the state tournament came by one run - 7-6 to the San Mateo Orioles and 6-5 to eventual champ McNamara Sports Volunteers - which made it even tougher to handle for Castles.

“We played three of our worst games of the year in that tournament and that includes the game we won,” Castles said. “We had plenty of opportunities in each game but just didn't come up with the big hit.”

But the team's disappointing performance in the area tournament did nothing to overshadow its outstanding performance the rest of the season.

Yolo finished the year 40-8 overall and was 15-3 in league play. Two of those losses game right at the beginning of the year to league foe Manhart, which Castles used to motivate the team.

“I really let them have it after those two games against Manhart because of how poorly they played and I think that really motivated them,” Castles said. “I didn't have to do that again.”

After those losses, Yolo won its next 11 games against league opponents. It also won the next six games and 21 of its next 22 overall, which included the championship at a Father's Day tournament in Chico against strong competition. After that, Castles knew his team could compete with anybody.

Overall, the team exceeded Castles' expectations by advancing as far as it did because of how tough the area tournament is to win. Area 1 features an eight-team tournament while other areas have just four-team events.

Yolo was led by the pitching of ace Scott Heinig, who was nearly unhittable and earned District 6 Player of the Week honors twice. Heinig, who will be a sophomore at Cosumnes River College in the fall, assumed a leadership role in his final year with Yolo.

“I really expected Scott to take on that role,” Castles said. “I wasn't sure if he was going to be a starter or reliever but he proved early on that he could start and go deep into games.”

Mike Turay, a soon-to-be senior at Davis High, was solid behind the plate and with the bat, something that carried over from an outstanding high school season.

But Turay was unable to play in the state tournament after competing in Long Beach's Area Code, a showcase for high school juniors.

Turay has already garnered attention from schools like UC Davis, Nevada and Cal State Fullerton. He will be eligible to play again next year and, if he chooses to do so, will be counted on if Yolo is to repeat its 2007 success.