Bryan Melara / Roundup, [email protected]
Before Pierce and Valley College opened its doors a rivalry had ensued as both campuses have always been as close in location as they have in competition.
Although a case can be made that other schools in the conference are close in location, no other conference opponent is as close to Pierce, as Valley.
After all this is the game that is circled on the coaches’ schedule.
In addition to proximity another element that makes this rivalry, a true rivalry is the players on each teams roster.
Players on both ball clubs have known each other for years, others have played against each other.
Valley’s infielders Josh Goosen-Brown and Casey Ryan were teammates of Pierce’s pitcher Nick Rodarte at Sherman Oaks’ Notre Dame High School.
Rodarte also played with Goosen-Brown in Little League for the Sherman Oaks Yankees.
Prior to last week’s games the two had never played on opposing teams, both however admitted it was a good time.
“It’s really fun to play him [Rodarte],” said Goosen-Brown. “But to get a win against him is definitely exciting.”
In addition to the excitement, with a rivalry also comes trash talking exchanged amongst the two clubs.
“There’s a lot of talking that goes on back and forth,” said Rodarte. “It makes us want to win that much more.”
While at Notre Dame in 2008 the three (Rodarte, Goosen-Brown, and Ryan) shared the same joy as they won the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Championship, beating South Hills High School 4-2 at Dodger Stadium and posting a season record of 27-4.
The winning pitcher in the State Championship for Notre Dame that year was Rodarte.
“He pretty much led our team when we were there,” said Goosen-Brown.
The three once shared a state championship in high school, now they all share the same goal of wanting to be crowned Western State Conference Champions.
Valley’s pitching coach Andy Rodriguez was the pitching coach of Pierce’s pitcher Carlos Gonzalez at Kennedy High School.
Also playing at Kennedy in 2008 were Pierce’s Christian Ornelas and Jacques Williamson.
He [Rodriguez] watched Gonzalez grow and helped him mold into the pitcher he is now.
According to Gonzalez during his high school days, he referred to Rodriguez as dad and was always over his house.
Pierce’s Christian Ornelas and Jacques Williamson were also on the same Kennedy team in 2008.
To this day Rodriguez still gets joy from seeing Gonzalez, Ornelas, and Williamson on the field although they now wear different uniforms.
“I get a lot of satisfaction seeing how they’ve matured,” said Rodriguez. “But obviously when you beat them it’s a lot of fun, even though you wish they were on your side.”
While at Kennedy, Gonzalez, Ornelas, and Williamson also suited up with Valley’s Brandon Ashford, Freddy Contreras, Hank Burditt and Adair Robles.
Contreras expressed his feelings about the rivalry saying “It’s pretty intense, it gets to me at times, but I still got to keep it cool.”
On the field both teams mean business, but after the game is over and egos are set aside friendship always resumes.
“That’s the game of baseball we’re rivals on the field, friends off the field,” said Ashford.
Pierce Head Coach John Bushart stated, he doesn’t see these rivalry games any different then any other conference game.
“I think we play everybody the same,” he said. “I don’t think we get up more or less for anybody.”
Regardless, wins against your rivals are always more gratifying according to Rodriguez.
“It’s always sweeter when you beat a rival,” he said.
The first game was won on the road in extra innings by the Brahmas at Valley.
Game two however was a different story as both teams played sloppy baseball, but in the end Valley was able to get it together and tie the series on the road at Joe Kelly Field.
Both teams now sit even on the season series 1-1, as each team has been able to get a win on the road.
If Pierce hopes to take the rubber match they will have to overcome any obstacles they face.
There is a possibility game three may also decide what team wins the conference, as it will be one of the last games on the schedule for both teams.
The Brahmas will be gunning to take the series at home.
Valley on the other hand will be looking to pull an upset, like they did in game two.
Watch the drama unfold.
