Poly and Cabrillo is the epitome of a big brother/little brother rivalry.  One has the accolades and reputation.  The other is living in the shadow and trying to break out. 

In a rivalry game that doubled as a near playoff game for Poly, the Jackrabbits beat back the Jaguars, 4-1, and clinched second place in the Moore League for only the second time in 23 years.

“This is really good for us,” said Poly coach Toby Hess of his young team’s accomplishment.  “(People) said we were going to finish fifth… we’re going to enjoy this.”

To add more drama, Poly was without pitcher/shortstop Mario Gordon and third baseman Thomas “Tommy” Walker because of the infamous ejections during Tuesday’s game against Lakewood.

But sophomore pitcher Jordan Wilcox took the ball and went the distance with a little help from none other than the replacements for Walker and Gordon.  Shortstop Eric Gonzalez and third baseman Ryan Rader made play after play behind Wilcox, who gave up just three hits and didn’t walk a batter.  That makes 14 straight innings that Poly pitching hasn’t surrendered a free pass.

“No walks (against Lakewood) and tonight is huge,” said Hess.  “Jordon’s demeanor and composure makes the difference… he’s just stoic up there… and he works down hill so well.”

Wilcox induced 14 ground ball outs in his seven innings of work, and that meant the defense was doing work behind him.  Gonzalez and Rader shined in the field, specifically in the fifth after Poly took the lead when Gonzalez dove for a looping line drive and Rader sent a frozen rope to first from behind the bag at third.

“I think it’s a compliment to be a jack of all trades and a master of none,” said Hess.  “Our pitchers play the field, so we have to fill in holes all the time.”

With the holes behind Wilcox filled, the Rabbits went to work at the plate early and had runners in scoring position in each of the first five innings.  After a double by Rader and two walks in the third, Henry Severson drove in the games first run.

But the Jags didn’t go quietly, and speedy shortstop Luis Tarrazas did his best to put his team on his back.  The freshman led off the fourth with a single and stole second.  He played with Wilcox a little, and got the pitcher to throw a pick off move into center.  Once he reached third the infield moved in, and Fransico Venegas chopped a single into center to tie it 1-1.

In between innings, the Jags switched jerseys from the all whites to a black and green top, but that didn’t quiet the ‘Rabbit bats.  With two outs and two on, catcher Nikko Santos doubled in a run, and after an error at first on a chopper from Terrell Kimbrough, he came in to score and make it 4-1.

Jaguar starter Ramiro Rosalez did a fine job pitching out of jams, but the error and the inability to cash in big on the few opportunities they had against Wilcox spelled bitter defeat for the younger brother.

“We played hard,” said Cabrillo coach Erick Bryant, whose team seemed to get better and better as the season went on.  “I wish we could play that hard against everyone, not just Poly.”