The pupil has become the teacher for the East Union baseball program. Earlier this week, athletic director J.J. Ramirez announced the hiring of 1994 alumnus Gene Ballardo to lead the Lancers’ baseball club. Ballardo takes over for longtime coach Dan Triglia, who quietly resigned following the 2018 spring season. “This is more than a job to me,” Ballardo said. “This means so much, and I am passionate about the school and about baseball. To come back to my alma mater, I am just truly grateful and excited for this great opportunity.” Triglia remains at East Union as an economics and social studies teacher. After taking over for Darrell Hardcastle in 2000, he led East Union to two Valley Oak League co-championships, two Sac-Joaquin Section final-round appearances and compiled a 237-221-2 record in 19 years.