Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Before Adonis Harrison took over the reins of his alma mater in 2018, the Muir baseball program was irrelevant.

It might sound mean, but it’s the nicest and most politically correct way of saying it.

Harrison, though, came in and his impact was felt instantly, and it earned the attention and respect of area baseball programs.

In his first two years at the helm, Harrison’s program won 33 games, which is three more victories than the Mustangs had tallied in the previous 15 years combined.

Before the Harrison regime was in place three years ago, the Mustangs hadn’t sniffed a playoff appearance since the administration of U. S. President, Ronald Reagan.

That drought was eradicated immediately.

In 2018 & 2019, Muir combined to go 4-2 in the postseason and only Pasadena Poly (9-1), Maranatha (6-1) and Rio Hondo Prep (5-1) had more playoff wins in our coverage zone, which stretches 40 miles from Rancho Cucamonga High School to St. Francis, along the 210 Freeway.

The long list of programs with less playoff wins in 2018 & 2019 than the Mustangs includes SGV powers Arcadia, San Dimas, Bonita, Glendora and Damien, just to name a few.

Over that stretch, Muir’s Amaris and Aryonis Harrison, Brian Love, Valente Vera and Emiliano Martinez got most of the headlines, and deservedly so.

But without question, this program would have never reached the heights it has without the consistency, commitment and production of Ely Resendiz.

If you don’t believe me, ask his current and former teammates and his coaching staff.

Last year, Resendiz batted .406, with 28 hits, seven runs, eight doubles, two triples and a .439 on-base percentage.

Ely’s eight doubles was a team-best.

Resendiz and Tobias Humphrey led Muir with two triples apiece.

His batting average and hit totals were second to Amaris Harrison (.457, & 37 hits).

And only Tobias Humphrey’s 28 RBIs was more than what Resendiz delivered.

That gets us to 2020.

Through the first eight games, the Muir senior batted .481, with 13 hits, five runs, six RBIs, two doubles, one triple and a .464 OBP.

His batting average and hits were No. 1 and his on-base percentage was second to freshman Will Clougherty (.583).

After a pretty slow start statistically to his prep career, Resendiz finished it as one of the SGV’s most reliable, consistent and clutch hitters.

He tallied 61 hits, 22 runs, 43 RBIs, 11 doubles and three triples.

And what his stat sheet couldn’t possibly chart is the fact that Resendiz picked up some of Muir’s most crucial and timely hits during their ascension as a program.

His teammates, coaches and even opposing coaches use words like clutch, strong, (great) competitor, funny and a great friend.

Ely’s fellow senior stud, Amaris Harrison, said Resendiz has not only evolved into a great hitter and teammate, he’s also matured into a very solid young man.

To his credit, Resendiz worked for every accolade in this story.

He hit just .268, and .176, respectively, over his freshman and sophomore years.

Resendiz was frustrated and realized he had so much more to offer than his numbers would indicate, so he spent his summer playing for the California Wahoos.

As he put it, “It was all about repetition and going back to the basics,” and it sure paid off.

He instantly raised his batting average 230 points to .406, and the rest is history.

Resendiz is intelligent, articulate, grounded and has matured a great deal, thanks to his parents, Tisha and Alfredo.

He is incredibly grateful that while his parents are no longer together, they are like ‘best friends’ and they always have and always will put their children’s well being before their own.

Resendiz spends equal time with both parents and they’ve contributed greatly to his maturation as a player and person.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to have parents that love me unconditionally and that have provided so much in my life,” he said. “My dad is an English teacher at Muir and there is no slang talk around him. My Mom supports me in anything I do and I don’t think I could have possibly asked for better or more loving parents.”

During a Sunday afternoon phone interview, we discussed how Muir made such a dramatic about-face, and Resendiz said it all starts with their coach, Adonis Harrison.

“He came in and we started from scratch. We did all the basics and fundamentals and we could see the passion in his face and we all bought in. My teammates and I worked so hard to change the direction of this program. He made us stronger both physically and as important, we became stronger mentally.”

Resendiz said Harrison is a father figure type to his players and as much as he loves baseball, Resendiz stated that Harrison cares far more about his players as people and what they do in a classroom than anything that happens on a baseball diamond.

When asked about possible frustrations in not being the headline grabber, Resendiz said honestly and bluntly that of course he would have liked to get more attention, but “as long as I did my part and we won games, that’s all I really cared about.”

Resendiz felt really good about what Muir was capable of doing had the Coronavirus not brought the sporting world to its knees, and that included a pair of brothers who transferred over during the break from St. Francis.

Jack Clougherty, who helped lead St. Francis to an Angelus League title at quarterback in the fall of 2019 was batting .333, with eight hits, five runs scored and five RBIs over his shortened junior campaign.

And Will Clougherty, a freshman, surprised his new teammates by hitting .474, with nine hits, seven runs, an RBI and a team-best .583 on-base percentage.

“We had some talented returning players (Amaris Harrison (.316) and Harper Taylor (.318), but they (Jack & Will) came in, worked hard and really contributed in our success. It really frustrates all of us that our season ended early, because we knew big things were ahead.”

These days, Resendiz spends his time during the quarantine working out with his 24-year old brother, Nico Resendiz, who throws batting practice to his younger brother at Victory Park.

He isn’t a movie guy, so Netflix hasn’t been his go-to form of entertainment.

But Resendiz acknowledged his vice is playing MLB, the Show, until very late nights.

Because his parents are all about preparing their kids for life, Ely will head to Arizona when the pandemic clears up to attend Post Grad Sports, which will give him a year to prepare for college baseball.

He then intends to come back and play for PCC or whatever the best fit might be at that time.

One thing the Coronavirus could never and will never touch is the fact that Resendiz, the Harrison brothers, Brian Love, Harper Taylor, Tyquise Soloman, Valente Vera, Emilio Martinez, Tobias Humphrey and many others have completely changed the bar for the program’s expectations.

Muir doesn’t have the best facilities, a huge budget or fancy uniforms, but what they do have is a great coaching staff and talented and hard-working young men, who will make you earn all 21 outs before they put their bats down.

Resendiz absolutely played a big role in the Mustangs going 38-18 overall, 19-12 in the Pacific League and 4-2 in the playoffs over the past two-plus years.

And he reflected upon that success and what memories he’ll most carry forward.

“What we accomplished in changing the face of Muir baseball is something my teammates and I will always be proud of and something that bonds us for life. We grew up watching the program at a low point in school history and we did our part to take it to its high-water mark. We all pulled together behind our coaches, worked for everything we achieved and we left the program in a far better place than we found it,” Resendiz said.

To view a clip of an Ely Resendiz game-winning hit against San Marino, please click on the YouTube link directly below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX4Q4bqqlk0

Quotable:

Muir baseball coach, Adonis Harrison: “Ely Resendiz was a four-year starter for John Muir baseball. Ely played a key role in turning our program around. He played first base and right field, and was a key to our success on the field. He hit third and fourth in our lineup and his power, clutch hitting and big RBI’s helped our program win 30-plus games. Without him batting .400-plus over the last two years, I really don’t think we would have been as successful as we were. He’s going to be truly missed.”

Muir senior & two-sport star, Amaris Harrison: “Ely is such an amazing guy, no doubt about it. He is great to be around, he’s a great friend, and always brings laughter and joy to the baseball field. Just from our ninth grade year, you could tell there was so much potential that he’d be able to reach by his senior year and he’s definitely filled that potential in and his smartness and aggressiveness at the plate grew as the years went on. I feel as if he probably had one of the biggest roles in Muir’s success. He really stepped up and his numbers showed just how important that he was.

Former Muir two-sport star & current PCC baseball player, Aryonis Harrison: “Ely is a great guy, always fun to be around and he’s also pretty funny. Ely’s role was huge in our success as a program. He started off as untrustworthy, but going into sophomore year, he started working harder and he became trustworthy. He’s one of the best players I’ve seen with my two eyes. His swing is beautiful and effortless! He never tries to do too much and he sticks with his plan at the plate. He is easily one of the most underrated hitters in the SGV by far.”

Arcadia baseball coach, Nick Lemas: “The kid can play. He’s solid. Definitely have to have a plan when you pitch to him. Loved that he always competed and brought his game. He was a pleasure to play against.”

Former PHS baseball coach, Mike Parisi: “Ely is a big, strong physical player. I coached him last summer in the lower level SGV all-star game, where he earned MVP honors. I was very impressed how respectful and talented he was. He represents Muir baseball how it should be represented. I wish him the best in his future.”

Ely Resendiz Career Stats:

2020: .481, 13 hits, five runs, six RBIs, two doubles, one triple, .464 OBP

2019: .406, 28 hits, seven runs, 25 RBIs, eight doubles, two triples, .439 OBP

2018: .176, nine hits, five runs, six RBIs, .354 OBP

2017: .268, 11 hits, five runs, six RBIs one double, .388 OBP

2019 Playoffs:

Muir 8, Covina 0

Muir 23, Rancho Christian 1

Canyon Springs 9, Muir 0

2018 Playoffs:

Muir 5, Twentynine Palms 2

Muir 6, Rancho Christian 0

El Rancho 3, Muir 0

Muir Records:

2020: 5-2-1, 2-1

2019: 18-8, 8-6

2018: 15-8-1, 9-5

2017: 12-14, 5-9

2016: 5-20, 2-12

2015: 0-22, 0-14

2014: 1-21, 0-14

2013: 1-18, 0-14

2012: 6-19, 1-13

2011: 3-19, 2-13

2010: 0-17, 0-14

2009: 0-21, 0-14

2008: 0-19, 0-14

2007: 3-18, 1-13

2006: 0-23, 0-15

2005: 0-20, 0-14

SGV Area Playoff Records Since 2018:
Pasadena Poly (9-1)

Maranatha (6-1)

Rio Hondo Prep (5-1)

Monrovia (4-1)

Muir (4-2)

Marshall Fundamental (4-2)

Northview (4-2)

La Salle (4-2)

San Dimas (2-1)

Glendora (2-2)

Arcadia (2-2)

Rancho Cucamonga (1-1)

Azusa (1-1)

Flintridge Prep (1-2)

Damien (1-2)

Pasadena (0-0)

St. Francis (0-0)

Claremont (0-0)

Upland (0-0)

Bonita (0-1)

Los Osos (0-1)

Covina (0-2)

To view Ely’s photo gallery, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook