SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Baseball/Softball Roundup, Feb. 16th, 2023
Bonita easily turns back La Salle, Arcadia and La Serna posts upsets at the Pizza Chalet Tournament.
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BASEBALL
PIZZA CHALET TOURNAMENT
Tyler Holley celebrates with Diego Vasquez in Bonita’s 6-1 win over La Salle on Wednesday. (Photo - Instagram: @madeby.taeg)
Bonita 6, La Salle 1: The Bearcats offense flexed its muscles in a big way in a home quarterfinal win over the Lancers. It started in the second inning with solo home runs from Adrian Lopez and Jared Brunk. Then in the fifth inning. Tyler Holley punched a double to right center field that scored a run and Garrett Patterson brought in two more runs with a beautifully laid bunt down the first base line for a 5-1 lead.
Camden Farina allowed one run on one hit and struck out three in three innings of work and picked up the win. La Salle's AC Nieto went 3 for 4 and drove in La Salle's only run of the game in the third inning with a single to center that scored Will Clougherty.
Arcadia 4, Charter Oak 0: In one of the upsets of the day, Gabe Lopez was sensational on the mound for the Apaches as he held the Chargers to six hits and struck out four in a road quarterfinal win. Brayden Herrera was the offensive star of the day as he went 3 for 4 with a triple and brought in three runs. Fernando Valencia pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief and picked up the save.
San Dimas 9, Claremont 7: The Saints got their offense going early as they posted four runs in the first inning and held off a late 7th-inning comeback from the Wolfpack for a quarterfinal win. Junior Ryan Castro had a huge day as he went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs. Kasen Khansarinia had a double and drove in two wins as did Jude Favela. Kody King allowed two runs on five hits and fanned four hitters in four innings of work and picked up the win. Jacob Becerra picked up the save.
La Serna 2, South Hills 1: In the other shocking result of the day, the Lancers showed that their win over Mater Dei on Monday was no fluke as they pulled out a narrow win over the host Huskies. Nick Allred, making his season debut on the mound, threw five shutout innings allowing one hit, and struck out three to pick up the win. Manuel Garcia came in relief and held the Huskies to one run and picked up the save. Owen Long keyed a two-run inning for the Lancers in the sixth inning with an RBI single.
Here is Saturday's Semifinal schedule
11 am: La Serna vs San Dimas at South Hills HS
3 pm: Bonita vs Arcadia at Maverick Park
In consolation action
Northview 5, Montebello 0: Kiki Villegas was sharp on the mound for the Vikings as he tossed a complete game three-hitter and struck out 13. Josh Sanchez banged out two hits and drove in a run. Montebello's Adrian Roman scratched out three hits.
Walnut 8, Damien 8: The game was tied at 8-8 in the sixth inning when the game was called for darkness. Nick Mejia had three hits for the Mustangs and Liam Velasco drove in two runs.
In other area baseball action:
Jazziah Espinoza of Whittier (Whittier HS photo)
Whittier 5, Rowland 3: Jazziah Espinoza played the starring role in this Cardinals home win as he connected on two doubles and drove in a run. Saco Griego had a nice performance on the mound as he struck out four hitters in four innings of work. Left-handed hurler Jacob Rocha struck out six in three innings of relief work and picked up the win.
El Rancho 7, Los Altos 1: Isaiah Villalobos was a tough customer for the Conquerors to handle as he surrendered one run on six hits and fanned two in 4 1/3 innings of work and picked up the win. The Don got the job done by scoring six runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Other scores
Flintridge Prep 10, Rosemead 2
Beverly Hills 4, Bosco Tech 3
Chino Hills 7, Diamond Bar 3
SOFTBALL
At the Bonita Tournament
Arcadia 11, South El Monte 3: Tiara Westbrook, Tiana Smith, and Peyton Fox each banged out two hits as the Apaches defeated the Eagles in a 5-inning win at Wheeler Park.
Diamond Ranch 9, Los Altos 4: The Panthers scored three runs in the first inning and tacked on two more in the seventh inning to dispatch the Conquerors at Wheeler Park. Emily McCoskey had two hits and drove in a run. Izel Avalos, Jessica Alaan, and Rayanna Quintanar also banged out two hits.
In other area action
South Hills 7, Citrus Valley 3: The Huskies rallied from a 3-1 deficit by scoring six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and cruised to a nonleague win. Mikayla Sta Ana and Joie Economides each hit doubles (Economides drove in three runs) and Parker Milton shined in the circle as she struck out five in a complete game performance to pick up the win. Earlier in the day, South Hills defeated Roosevelt, 6-3.
St. Paul 9, Covina 7: The Swordsmen won their second consecutive game of the year by scoring seven runs in the third inning. Daina Munoz hit a three-run home run (her first of the season) and Hannah Moreno connected on a triple and drove in two runs. Maya Venegas went 4 for 4 for the Colts and also connected on a home run.
South Pasadena 12, Mayfield 2: The Tigers spoiled the season opener for the Cubs by scratching out 13 hits in a home win. Natalie Kan connected on a home run (she went 4 for 4 on the day) and drove in three runs. Lucia Atencio struck out 11 in a complete-game effort to pick up the win.
In other action:
Marshall 12, Westridge 11
Monrovia 8, Arroyo 3
Bell Gardens 15, Whittier 4
Keppel 12, Ramona Convent 2
Ganesha 21, Workman 0