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Detroit Western’s Hector Gutierrez dazzles in 2-1 victory over Detroit ML King
DETROIT – Detroit Western International has won the last five Detroit PSL baseball championships and demonstrated their strength and poise again over inter-conference rival Detroit ML King this afternoon. Behind the arm of senior and Michigan commit Hector Gutierrez, the Cowboys sqeaked out a 2-1 victory over the Crusaders at Clark Park.
King only had two hits on the day, both by junior shortstop Avonte Maddox, as Gutierrez pitched a complete game, helping Detroit Western improve to 7-1. Though listed as a shortstop, but the 6-0, 170-pounder showcased his throwing abilities on the mound today, needing only only 65 pitches to lock down ML King while striking out 18 batters with only one walk. He also went 2-2 from the plate, with one stolen base.
Despite Gutierrez’s pitching gem, Western was down 1-0 to King after three-innings. Maddox (2-3, two stolen bases) got on base for King with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first, and then was able to steal second and third, showcasing his speed. Gutierrez threw a wild-pitch that got away from the catcher, allowing Maddox to score King’s only run of the game from third.
Michael Jamison pitched a solid game for King, throwing a shutout through three innings. Jamison (7 innings, 81 pitches, 3 strikeouts) but got into a jam in the top of the fourth inning when Anthony Ramirez got on base due to an error. Tratez Henton then hit a double off Jamison that gave Western two runners in scoring position on second and third. The Cowboys finally broke through when senior outfielder Nico Cuevas smacked a single past the second baseman that scored both runners.
And that would be all Western needed as Gutierrez only allowed one baserunner after the 4th inning due to a hit by pitch, and showed everyone why he is one of the better overall players in the state.
King fell to 1-3 on the season and will battle North Farmington tomorrow at 5 p.m.
