BURBANK-KERRVILLE TIVY, bi-district baseball Game 1 post-game comments

>Burbank shortstop-pitcher ARTURO MARTINEZ, who drove in two runs with a first-inning single and earned the save:

On whether Burbank’s experience came into play in the 8-6 win:
“We’ve been going to the playoffs for four years. We were a little nervous at first. But I knew my teammates had my back. We came through tonight. We need to come through tomorrow, too.”

On what he threw, while retiring the last two batters for the save:
“I threw fastballs mostly and, just to get them off-balance, I threw the curve or the two-seam fastball. I’ve been in that situation many times.”

On Burbank’s first seven batters in the game getting on base, six with hits:
“We’ve been working on our hitting a lot. We’ve been working on it in school (during baseball class) and after school at practice.”

On winning Game 1 in the series:

“It’s a great feeling. It gives us more confidence (for tomorrow).”

>Burbank coach ROMEO BARRERA on what Bulldogs’ first playoff win since 2011 means for Friday’s games in Kerrville. Burbank is scheduled for games at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (if necessary):

“Arturo and Conrad are both four-year starters, so they know what it’s like. Conrad getting into the seventh and Arturo not having to throw that many pitches, that’s going to help.”

“We could start Arturo tomorrow, or we could start Jonathan Martinez, who’s thrown back-to-back no-hitters recently (against Edison April 23 and Lanier May 1). Jonathan and Arturo have both been throwing well. I’m going to sleep on it.
“It’s a nice position to be in.”

On the ability of Arturo Martinez and Conrad Perez, both 4th-year varsity players, to close ballgames and complement each other:
“I was telling coach Shuck, who’s in his first year as our pitching coach, that I’ve never had more than 2 saves in any year. This year was our fifth save of the year.
If Conrad starts, Arturo can finish and if Arturo starts, Conrad can finish. It’s good to know we can count on both of those guys. I told Conrad that I wouldn’t take him out unless I knew he could still get the win.

On senior pitcher Conrad Perez, stranding runners at third base in each of the first three innings before finally giving up a run in the fourth. Through the first 5 innings, Perez allowed 4 hits and 1 run.

“He’s done that before. Against McCollum in a 1-0 (loss), he left quite a few stranded at third. Conrad can pitch through that pressure. I’m really happy and pleased he did that well tonight.”

Asked about Burbank’s first inning, in which the first five batters scored and the first seven reached base, Barrera thought another inning was more important.
In the first, Jonathan Martinez sparked the rally with a leadoff double. Jeremy Moreno, Arturo Martinez (2 RBI) and Brandon Garcia all drove in runs on consecutive at-bats. Giovanni Jimenez brought in the fifth run with a ground out.

“In that first inning, we came out there and (took control). Then we got a big inning in the bottom of the sixth. Those two runs were the difference. (Pinch-hitter) Humberto Lopez came in on his first at-bat and got a really big hit. Then we scored on a wild pitch.”