Freshman Catcher Diego Bastidas Shines in Playoff Debut

Metea Valley’s coach, Steve Colombe, had anticipated the talent of freshman catcher Diego Bastidas. Bastidas had a family connection, with his older brother Daniel previously playing for the Mustangs before transferring to Middle Tennessee State. ‘So we’ve known about Diego for a while now,’ Colombe mentioned. Now, the larger high school baseball community is learning about Bastidas as well.

Bastidas began with the frosh/soph team, taking on various positions such as catcher, infielder, and pitcher. Colombe needed more depth at the varsity level, and Bastidas was among the first to seize this opportunity. During a game against Waubonsie, Bastidas delivered an RBI triple early in his varsity career.

In a standout playoff debut against Neuqua Valley, Bastidas, batting ninth, went 2-for-4, drove in two runs, and scored once. Metea Valley, seeded 17th, stunned 16th-seeded Neuqua Valley with a 9-5 victory in the Class 4A Plainfield North Regional quarterfinal.

Metea Valley was trailing 1-0 in the second inning with runners on base when Bastidas executed two crucial defensive plays. He picked off a runner at second and threw out another attempting to steal. ‘I’m always trying to be aware of my surroundings,’ Bastidas remarked. These actions marked a pivotal turning point in the game.

Bastidas also contributed offensively, starting with a single in the fourth inning. Tyler Gluting followed with a three-run home run, giving his team a 5-1 lead. Gluting praised Bastidas’ courage and competence, noticeably impressed by his maturity and poise despite being a freshman.

Both teams tallied runs in the fifth inning, with Neuqua Valley’s Christian Lott hitting a two-run homer. Bastidas answered in the sixth with a two-run double, maintaining Metea Valley’s lead.

When reflecting on his skills, Bastidas believes his defensive play stands out most. He seeks inspiration from his brother and professional catchers like Salvador Perez and Yadier Molina. ‘I try to be a leader on the field, even though I’m among the younger ones,’ Bastidas stated.

As the Mustangs prepare to face top-seeded Lockport, Bastidas remains optimistic. He believes in carrying forward the momentum from their latest victory. ‘We’re just going to do our best,’ he concluded.