May 15, 2024
By Alexandra Lourenço
Editor
When he was 13 years old, baseball player Max Gonzalez, who is now a sophomore, stepped up to bat at the semifinals of a Ripken Select Tournament in Austin, Texas on July 17, 2021.
With the weight of the game on his shoulders, Gonzalez had the chance to push his club team, the Garden State Ducks, to the finals. Once the pitcher dealt his throw, Gonzalez swung for glory.
“I got the game-winning hit to get us to the championship and it was surreal,” Gonzalez said. “I was very excited, [and] I felt so many different emotions at once.”
Gonzalez said this event was the highlight of his athletic career.
Now, he is contributing to the Golden Bears’ success as a first-year varsity player and starting catcher.
Gonzalez said he tries to be a leader on the team.
“I motivate my teammates to do better and push them to strive for what the end goal is,” Gonzalez said.
He said he strives to enjoy the game while playing at a high level.
“I am always hard on myself and pushing myself, but [I] remember that it is just a game and to have fun because that is when you play your best,” Gonzalez said.
“He is only going to get better because he puts in the time to be the best he can be.”
Head Coach Auteri said Gonzalez works hard on the field and in the classroom.
“He has brought a tremendous work ethic… that has impacted the other members of our program,” Auteri said. “[He] has given us stability at the catcher position and another quality bat in our lineup.”
Auteri said Gonzalez has been an exciting player to watch. He said he is reliable as the clean-up hitter, thus relieving pressure from the senior athletes.
“He is only going to get better because he puts in the time to be the best he can be,” Auteri said.
He said it was an easy decision to make Gonzalez the starting catcher.
“His resume speaks for [itself],” Auteri said. “Our players knew Max would come right in and solidify the catcher position, which is the most demanding position on the field.”
Senior Anthony Pizzuti, who is an infielder and pitcher in his third season on varsity, said the team needed a catcher this season since both of last year’s catchers graduated.
“We had no one to catch, and he stepped up,” Pizzuti said. “He helps us out a lot, he communicates a lot [and] he’s just an all-around good player.”
Pizzuti said Gonzalez boosts the team’s morale.
“He gets everyone going in the dugout. He tells everyone to keep talking [and] gets the energy up,” Pizzuti said.
He said Gonzalez was shy at first but has proven to be a great teammate.
“He wants what’s best [for the team, and] he is a phenomenal athlete. I can’t wait to see what he does in the future,” said Pizzuti.
