St. Rita’s Julio Gutierrez plays the game as a history lesson where the past constantly changes.
The sophomore outfielder has come to grips with the fact that his previous efforts at the plate do not particularly hold predictive powers. His goal is to shake things off before his next at-bat.
“You have to always leave your failures in the past,” Gutierrez said. “You can’t take them with you, so just forget them and move on and be better the next time you go up.”
it would be hard to find a better performance from Gutierrez.
He finished with three hits and also drove in three runs Wednesday for the Mustangs in a 10-0 win over Evergreen Park in five innings in a Class 3A Brooks Sectional semifinal game in Chicago.
Senior right-hander Will Rewers (9-3) struck out 12 and allowed just one hit for top-seeded St. Rita (26-12), which plays at 12 p.m. Saturday for the sectional title against second-seeded Marian Catholic (21-17), a 3-1 winner in the other semifinal over Tinley Park (22-12).
Freshman pitcher Ian Mora, who also struck out two in his two innings, managed the only hit for fourth-seeded Evergreen Park (24-14).
Gutierrez, meanwhile, went 3-for-3 and scored twice for the Mustangs, who have won three playoff games by a 41-2 count. He had an RBI double in the second and a two-run double in the third.
“He’s a pretty scrappy player,” Rewers said of Gutierrez. “He always manages to put the ball in play, rarely strikes out and works the count a lot.
“He always comes up in big spots, two strikes and runners in scoring position, and gets them in.”
Junior shortstop Braden Quinn opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first for St. Rita.
“He does a lot of things really well,” Quinn said of Gutierrez. “He’s a really good competitor. He’s had two really good games in a row now.
“He’s a super cool, funny guy. I love having him around. He brings great energy to the team.”
St. Rita beat Evergreen Park 16-0 on March in the season opener, but Gutierrez didn’t put too much stock in that result.
“I feel like every game, every play, you go as if it’s your last game,” he said. “You never know what the other team is going to bring. You have to leave it all on the field and leave no doubt.”
In his first season on the varsity, Gutierrez has been a dynamic hitter, taking on a greater offensive role with each passing game. He’s hitting .342 with 31 runs and 23 RBIs.
A converted infielder, he has shown poise while exceling defensively in right field.
“I just feel like I’m not an easy out whatsoever,” Gutierrez said. “I know what I am. I’m not a power guy. I’ll run here and there, but low line drives are my money.”
The game is a family affair for Gutierrez, who grew up in Palos Heights, with some softball was thrown in for good measure. His sister, Jai, was a standout infielder/outfielder at Stagg.
His father played baseball at Thornwood.
“My dad, my uncles, have all been involved in the game,” Gutierrez said. “My dad tells me every day how special I am. He made me believe. It was also really special with my sister.
“I get a little sad thinking about how she’s going to move out soon. I learned to compete from her.”
Having played in 38 varsity games, Gutierrez is now essentially a veteran. He’s also moved up to the second spot in the batting order. The game has settled down and he has settled in.
“I’m never going to go on the field scared,” Gutierrez said. “I feel like you’ve already lost if you do that. I’m fearless and I like to compete.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
