James Garcia slides safely into third base for the Bronx Bombers on Thursday.
By Luis Torres
Alvin Gomez had a chance to go out and prove himself when he took the ball and toed the rubber for the Bronx Bombers.
The Class of 2024 right-handed pitcher is currently uncommitted as he continues to work and find a school that’s the right fit for him athletically and academically. An opportunity presented itself on Thursday in front of a handful of schools and scouts.
He felt no pressure as he understands what he’s capable of when he picks up a baseball.
Gomez shined on the mound, tossing six innings and leading the Bronx Bombers to a 2-1 win over MVP New England 2024’s in 17/18U Blue Chip Prospects play at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
“A lot of things were working for me on the mound,” Gomez said. “My slider was getting there until the late innings. I felt very comfortable on the mound, especially with our good defense behind me.”
Gomez’s velocity stayed consistent through his outing, regularly touching 85 and 86 miles-per-hour, according to the radar gun at Diamond Nation, from the first inning until the sixth. He found a feel for his slider after the first two innings, having the ability to throw it for strikes and get ahead of hitters and keep them off balance.
Gomez allowed one run, which was unearned, on just two hits. He walked none and recorded three strikeouts.
Alvin Gomez of the Bronx Bombers pitched a gem in the Blue Chip Prospects tournament.
He also went 1-for-2 with a single to right field in the second inning.
“His performance on the mound today was excellent. It’s what we wanted from him,” Bronx Bombers coach George Rosa said. “After the first inning, he settled down. I told him this was his coach. There were a lot of coaches here. He’s uncommitted, so I wanted him to shine and shine to the best of his ability. He pitched six great innings and controlled the game.”
MVP New England 2024’s opened the scoring in the top of the first when Caden Angelo hit an RBI single to left field, which scored Connor Lytle from third base. Lytle reached on an error and then stole second and third base before Angelo, who went 2-for-3, pushed him home.
The Bronx Bombers responded in the bottom half of the frame when Seven Alemais hit an RBI single through the infield, scoring Luis Garcia from second base and tying the game at 1-1.
Gomez took over from there, shutting down MVP New England 2024’s lineup and using the defense behind him to help him out.
Bronx Bombers turned two inning-ending double plays, and Gomez retired 12 of the last 17 batters he faced.
“I’m always making sure that it’s consistent, consistent, consistent,” Gomez said. “If stuff is not working, I just try to look through a lot of film to see what’s going on.”
The Bronx Bombers took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with some heads-up baserunning by shortstop James Garcia. Garcia reached on a walk, then advanced to second base on a throwing error.
Garcia then stole third base and came around to score on a Nicholas Vega infield hit.
William Rangel earned the save for the Bronx Bombers by working around a two-out walk, but Gomez’s outing stood out to his team.
“It was an awesome day for him and he got to shine on a big stage today, so that’s great.” Rosa said.