San Quentin’s Hardtimers opened up their 2025 season with a game against Prison Sports Ministries that renewed the gratitude and warm embraces between the teams who returned to SQ’s Field of Dreams.
PSM’s Doug Aubineau, a formerly incarcerated coach for the SQ A’s and head coach for the Hardtimers before his release in 2021, said “There are people that care out in society and are willing to help if the time and effort is put forth by the incarcerated. I want them to know they can make it if they do what’s right.”
The game showed the time and effort of the SQ players as they tied in a competitive classic that included the following highlights:
PSM scored the season’s first run before then Hardtimers’ Aaron Zendejas hammered an inside-the-park homerun to take the lead 3-1, which was followed by Hardtimers’ Noah Villazon hitting a second inside-the-park homerun in the bottom of the fourth to highlight what appeared to be an onslaught of the visiting team.
PSM mounted a comeback as the visitors’ Jeff Ratcliff homered to give the visitors the lead 12-10, before the Hardtimers’ Al Crews hit a bomb to center field to take back the lead 17-12 in the bottom of the 5th.
“I challenged myself to try something new, it’s my first time playing softball,” said Crews. “I wanted to be part of this team; working together with other positive attitudes helps build character through discipline and accountability.”
The game was back and forth through the 8th inning before the Hardtimers Nate Venegas hit a drive out to right field that brought the final runner in resulting in a 21-21 tie.
PSM’s Ron Araguz said, “Through this camaraderie we build, we get to see a sense of normalcy in here.”
Hardtimers manager Rick Dias spoke on his teams’ outlook for the upcoming year.
“I’m having a positive feeling about this season; we just need to stay injury free. It’s a new team with a new message,” said Dias.
After the game, the teams gathered and PSM’s Paul Britton left players with a question about spirituality. “What do we do with that faith?” asked Britton. “Faith is easy when everything is going great; I have to trust that his plan is better than mine.”
