Roaring Start

The Southwestern Jaguars are on a mission for a conference title this season. After winning three straight games the Jags look like a team destined for something big. Their winning streak includes an 8-5 victory over the San Diego Mesa Olympians on Tuesday afternoon.

Infielder Carlos Ibarra has been on a tear recently hitting four home runs in the past five games. One of those came Tuesday afternoon as he took one over the right field wall.

"It's awesome when you hit one, you feel like you own the place," said Ibarra.

The game Tuesday had Southwestern showcasing its offensive with eight runs. During their three game winning streak the Jaguars have outscored opponents by a 2-1 margin. A pleasant surprise for head coach Jerry Bartow.

"It's a struggle. All these games have been a struggle for us because we don't hit much," said Bartow.

Catcher Anthony Alvarez had a double with a RBI and was hit by a pitch Tuesday against Mesa College.

"I love being back there and my priority is being with the pitchers and helping them out," he said.

Alvarez received a scholarship his freshman year to play for a university in Iowa. He is coming off a year where he red shirted and sat out. This year is his first season with the Jaguars.

"It's what I'm good at and I enjoy being back there the whole game," said Alvarez.

Being a catcher can be a difficult task because it's necessary to not only know what the pitchers can do, but who they are as well.

"I know a lot of things about them, they know a lot of things about me," he said. "You got to know what they like and don't like. It's part of being a catcher, you have to know what your pitchers can do."

The Jaguars also have tough bench players like outfielder Jason Hinton who takes each at bat seriously. He has accepted his identity on the team as a role player for this season and understands the reason. Hinton is a freshman out of Valhalla High School who said he offers to the team speed and base running.

"I have been moving the runners over and playing simple baseball," said Hinton.

During the few at bats he's had he tries to be focused and go up to the plate with a plan.

"I haven't struck out or anything, it's not easy," he said.

Pitcher David Julio has to have the tough mind set of a closer he has played since he was four and a half.

"I've been out there since I was five years old," he said. "It's 15 years later and I've never got bored."

Julio said he enjoys his role on the staff because he likes to be in control of the game. The regimen is also a different aspect of being a pitcher from the other position players. The lower body and shoulders are the integral parts for pitchers because they are what pitchers use most often.

The Jaguars are currently 4-1 in conference and 8-4 overall this year. They stand second in their conference. If they continue to have strong offensive showings and their pitching can keep them in games then the Jaguars could be on their way to a conference title.