A Home Run Through Senior Year

Jacob Gutierrez, a senior at Ridgeview High School, has been a member of the varsity baseball team since he was a freshman and has played baseball since he was a young kid. Gutierrez started playing because he grew up watching baseball. As a junior, Gutierrez was named B Varsity All-Area Player of the Year, making him one of the best baseball players in the area. Also contributed to the team’s state triumph by hitting a grand slam in the valley championship game to win. When asked how it felt to win the State title Gutierrez, States “it was a great feeling because all the hard work paid off”. He also is leading the Central section in batting average.

Gutierrez played travel baseball since he was a kid for the KC Eagles, during that time he had a coach who was a father figure to him. Gutierrez says, “coach Milo taught me many lessons about the game of baseball and in life, he helped me find love for baseball”. As an inspiration to Gutierrez, coach Milo has been a main contributor to his success on the field.  Along the way he has made many friendships and met many connections that would last a lifetime.

 Many people know Jacob as a dedicated athlete who is always there for his teammates. “Jacob is always a hardworking player who always puts his team first and is a great leader and the true definition of a captain,” says teammate Andres Rivera. Gutierrez’s head coach said the same thing about him: he’s a hard worker and a good teammate. 

Gutierrez is a student- athlete holding a 3.2 gpa and also a member of the ITA program at Ridgeview High School. He intends to continue his sports and academic pursuits at Bakersfield College then transfer out to a University, “I intend to major in Kinesiology,”. Gutierrez has accomplished a lot in his sport, and when asked what keeps him motivated, he says, “always setting goals to reach keeps me working.” After winning a Valley championship and a State championship last season, Ridgeview intends to run it again this year. They are off to a hot start with a record of 21-2. Gutierrez says, “we are 18- 2 right now and we don’t plan on losing another game the rest of the year”. Gutierrez has been playing baseball for over 12 years now. “I’ve always looked up to Kershaw because he always plays the game of baseball the right way”.