Sun Male Athlete of the Week: Garrett Guzman

Thursday, March 16, 2000 | 9:10 a.m.

GARRETT GUZMAN

School: Green Valley

Class: Junior

Sport: Baseball

Family: Father Jerry Ginn; mother Dorlene Ginn; brothers Ryan Marsau, Michael Marsau.

Last week: Guzman, the Gators' starting rightfielder, helped his club get off to a 3-0 start with wins over Durango (9-7), Clark (8-1) and Cheyenne (6-2) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In the season opener against the Trailblazers, Guzman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a double. After going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two steals the next day, he finished his week with a 2-for-3 performance against Cheyenne, scoring two runs and belting a triple in the process. "It was real big for us, considering we started off 0-3 last year and Durango knocked us out of the postseason last year," he said.

This season: Guzman is one-third of what Baseball America calls "the nation's best high school outfield," teaming up with the senior combo of David Krynzel and Ben Schiess. After leading off for the Gators last season, Guzman is holding down the No. 3 spot in the lineup this year. "Garrett was our best hitter last year as a sophomore," Green Valley coach Nick Garritano said. "He hits the ball so well in all situations, and the three-spot is a perfect place for an RBI guy to be."