SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Monday's with Escarcega, Monday May 13th, 2024

Go inside Cal's emotional win over Valley View in softball; Debut of the Top-20 area baseball rankings and more.

(Escarcega)

WHITTIER – Back in 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers were in the throws of an inspiring postseason run that culminated with a shocking win over the Oakland A’s to win the World Series. Many experts pointed to game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets as the key point in their postseason run. 

The Mets were heavy favorites to win the series and it appeared that all predictions were coming to fruition when they held a 4-2 lead late in the game. And then it happened! With a runner on base, Mike Scioscia came out of nowhere and hit a two-run homer off of Dwight Gooden that tied the game at 4. In the 12th inning, it was Kirk Gibson who hit a solo home run off of Roger McDowell that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 lead.

However, the Mets had runners on second and third with 1 out in the bottom of the 12th inning when Jesse Orosco came in relief. After walking Keith Hernandez, manager Tommy Lasorda made a quick trip to the mound and wasn’t exactly asking what dinner plans were afterward. After getting Darryl Strawberry to pop out, Lasorda brought in Orel Hershiser, who was the last pitcher available for the Dodgers in the game after pitching seven innings the previous night. 

With the count 1-1, Kevin McReynolds hit a broken-bat shallow fly ball to center field that was caught by John Shelby on the dead run. The end of the game was so exhausting that legendary announcer Al Michaels said, “And when you write the story of this game, where in the world do you begin?”

That’s pretty much how everyone who is associated with California High School softball said after Saturday's 12-inning marathon with Valley View in a CIF Southern Section Division 2 semifinal that saw the Condors win, 8-7.

And that was on top of their quarterfinal game against Whittier Christian they won in 14 innings that had to be played in two days (Thursday and Friday). 

You can’t make this stuff up. 

It was a game that became a test of will, discipline, and so much more. It was a game that had controversy, drama, and tension all brought together in a nice package. It was the type of game that added 10 years to a coach’s life and had parents clutching their rosaries tightly. 

Let’s take the assignment that Al Michaels gave us and try to describe it the best way we can – from behind the scenes. 

Before the game, the coaching staff from Cal High was trying to put together all the information that they could. With no time to prepare thanks to the two-day marathon that was their win over Whittier Christian, you would think they were high school students cramming at the last second for their final exam. 

It didn’t help that Valley View pulled down all the information from their MaxPreps and GameChanger accounts, but they got their hands on what they needed the most, a scoresheet from their game against La Serna on Thursday. It was treated as the holy grail for everyone on the staff. Starting pitcher Pricilla Ramirez, looked at it so carefully, you would have thought she was handicapping the Kentucky Derby with the Daily Racing Form. 

Throw in some information from the La Serna coaching staff, and the Cal players talking to the La Serna players (yes, they all get along with each other better than you think) and that was all that was needed for game preparation. 

The game started innocently enough with no drama. The only offensive that was created by both teams was a solo home run by Cal’s “Sultan of Swat” Shirley Acevedo in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. 

From the fifth inning to the end of the game, logic was thrown out the window, developments were happening at a breathless pace, and the end of the game was so unexpected that everyone looked at themselves saying “Can you believe what just happened? 

The top of the fifth inning saw Valley View’s super sophomore converted shortstop Alyssa Torres (who is considered one of the top catchers on the West Coast with those inside the program saying she’ll be playing collegiate softball at LSU), hitting her 19th home run of the season to give Eagles a 2-1 lead. 

(Escarcega)

The Condors' offense has shown that they can turn it on at any point in the season. It’s why many considered them the most feared offense in Div. 2 and they lived up to that reputation by scoring four runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-2 lead. They did it by collecting six hits and forcing starting pitcher Bella Hernandez to the dugout in favor of Thursday’s starter Giselle Morales. 

Throw in an extra run in the sixth inning and it was 6-2 Condors entering the seventh inning. While Condor fans were making celebration plans in the stands and making sure that they had enough hard drive space on their cell phones, a big decision was taking place in the dugout. 

Ramirez had worked six innings, but from keen observers, it looked like she was more than a little tired. She had struck out six, but Valley View was still hitting the ball solidly. The question was simple, do they continue to use her in the last inning or bring in super sophomore Alexis Salas and her 65 MPH fastball? 

There was little question in Ramirez’s mind. “Yes, I wanted to finish,” Ramirez said. “I told my teammates that was just three outs, but I trusted it.” 

What she trusted was the decision of the coaching staff to bring in Salas in the last inning. They’ve experienced this before in last year’s regional state playoff game and now it was staring them straight in their faces. Salas had shown all season that she could be trusted in those situations. In the first of their three games against La Serna, she was brought in the fifth inning of a 1-1 tie and held the Lancers to one hit with five strikeouts in an eight-inning 4-1 win. It was the game that showed everyone why she’ll be a prized commodity to college coaches this summer. 

But there were the lapses, and one of those came on Thursday when she gave up a three-run homer to Whittier Christian elite standout Aleena Garcia that tied the game at four in the bottom of the seventh inning and sent the game into a tension-filled extra innings that wouldn’t be resolved until the next day. The positive was that Salas regathered herself and didn’t allow another run for the rest of the game. She had shown that she could handle pressure situations. 

The seventh inning started and for those involved with the Condors, it was an inning that many would like to forget. Salas had her fastball reaching 65 MPH, but her control betrayed her. 

There is a saying in the softball world that “control is not just about the ball; it's about command over your entire presence. Losing control here isn't just a stray pitch; it's a moment of vulnerability, where the very foundation of your confidence trembles." 

And that is exactly what happened to Salas. Her confidence was gone, and when it does for a pitcher like Salas, the pitching circle becomes the loneliest place on earth. Valley View scored four runs on two hits, two batters that were hit by the pitch, and the Condor defense committed an error. When the smoke cleared, the Eagles brought up 10 hitters and tied the game at 6-6. 

After Cal went down in order in the bottom half of the 7th, it appeared that the Condors had squandered their chance to make a sectional final in the 8th inning when Tatiana Gomez connected on her first hit of the game that scored Jayleen Hernandez to give Valley View. While Ramirez was reentering the game as a pitcher and warming up, many of the Condor players were squatting, staring at the field, trying to gather their thoughts. 

One of those was Boise State commit, outfielder Ashley Hernandez. 

“I was furious,”’ Hernandez. “Not everyone is going to have their “A” game and Pricilla was on her game. But everyone knew that the game was not over and that we had to play to the last out.” 

After Ramirez struck out the two remaining hitters, the game entered the bottom of the 8th inning and that is where the controversy began. After Mia Martinez hit a double that allowed Hailey Chavolla to score to tie the game at 7-7, Jessica Gurule hit what appeared to be the game-winning single to right field. However, Miranda Mease charged on the ball and threw it to Jayleen Hernandez at first. Video replays showed that Gurule was safe at first.

Both teams had charged out of their dugouts and emotions ran high. The three umpires met for a brief minute and then ruled that she was out, and the inning was over. If this was collegiate softball, the umpires would have gone to the video for a second look. In high school, you are at the discretion of the umpires. And with their decision, the game proceeded to the ninth inning, and this is where the test of wills starts kicking in. 

Ramirez did her part as she held Valley View to two hits and struck out six. When the Condors were at the plate, each player in the dugout was pressed against each other with the fence acting like a border, cheering, and offering positive thoughts – except for one person, Pricilla Ramirez. 

Cal softball players cheering during their game against Valley View on Saturday. (Escarcega)

She was on the other side of the dugout, following the action but alone in her thoughts. “I’m trying to focus and lock in,” Ramirez said. “It's hard when our team is not hitting as we can, but I believed in them in every inning.” 

(Escarcega)

And the chances were there for the Condors’ offense. In the 11th inning, the bases were loaded with two outs, but Lauren Trivino struck out to end the threat. During that inning, players started complaining that they were getting dizzy and cramping up. Someone had brought in mini packs of mustard from the snack bar and some of the girls were sucking on them like little girls.

 Cal dugout during the bottom of the 11th inning on Saturday against Valley View. (Escarcega)

And then came the bottom of the 12th inning. It was at the point in the day when the sun was setting. According to weather.com, sunset was scheduled for 7:44 p.m. Everyone knew that if Cal didn’t score, the game would be suspended and everyone would return on Monday to play the game until its conclusion. 

That would not be the case on this day – and the swiftness of it is why many love softball. 

With two outs and Ashley Hernandez on second, pinch hitter Skyler Minor (a sophomore) hit a deep fly ball to center field that went off the glove of Jacqueline Devine and hit the field. Hernandez, who was running on contact and is the fastest player on the team, scored the running run that set the Cal fans into a delirious celebration. 

(Escarcega)

The players rushed out to the field to hug and celebrate with Minor. Trivino executed a perfect form tackle that sent her to the ground (note to all Cal girls flag football coaches, Trivino needs to be on your team). Valerie Vasquez, who had been ejected from the Whittier Christian game and couldn’t play in Saturday’s marathon, yelled out loud, “LET’S FUCKING GO!” 

There was another player who said, “I fucking told you.” Whoever that player is, needs to play the lotto this week.

The coaches hugged each other and then hugged Cal coach Jason Ramirez, who is in the middle of a fight with ALS. No words needed to be said. Ramirez cried and let all the emotions come out. When you are battling ALS, there aren’t many good days. When you are Ramirez, the best part of the day is spending the afternoon with his coaches and players. It’s the best therapy anyone in his situation could ask for. 

(Escarcega)

When Ramirez was wheeled out to the field, all he could do was cry. Leave it to Ashley Hernandez to come over at give him a hug that came from the heart. “We want to give Ramirez the best experience we can,” Hernandez said as she was fighting off the tears. “Going through this journey with him is so hard and it never gets any easier and making it to the championship game is a huge accomplishment. Playing for him is the best blessing we all have.” 

(Escarcega)

Maybe it was appropriate that Hernandez scored the winning run for the Condors. By her standards, this season has been one of frustration. The game of baseball and softball will do that to you. However, she has fought through it with hard work and dedication, and it was displayed on Saturday. 

“This year has been tough, especially after coming off a year like last season,” Hernandez said. “This year I think I’ve been thinking too much and went it comes down to certain situations, I just tell myself, ‘I have to do my job and want this game to be over and win.’”

Maybe sometime soon we can get San Dimas’ Kasen Khansarinia hooked up with Hernandez to talk about overcoming frustrations and maintaining focus with high expectations. That’s for another conversation at another time. 

(Escarcega)

After each coach had an opportunity to speak with the team, it was left to Ramirez to have the final words on a day that will be remembered for years to come. “I have one word to say, WHY??” Ramirez said that has everyone laughing. “Why do you do this to me? We got one more to go. Like I’ve said all year, we have to finish. We have an opportunity to finish what we started.” 

And they’ll have that opportunity this weekend in Irvine.

It only took 26 innings and three days to get there. 

And to answer Al Michaels’ question at the start of the column, I did my best! 

IT’S TIME FOR THE TOP-20

No one has ever ranked the players from 1-20 in baseball in the area. Oh sure, you have All-Area teams, but doing it like a Mel Kiper with a Best Players Regardless of Position? Nope – until today. Our big board is set up after watching players and tracking the pitching data with Pocket Radar. 

One note, keep in mind that this list is of PLAYERS WE HAVE SEEN. Josh Proctor of Maranatha is a player you will not see on our list. We know he’ll be attending UCLA and Prep Baseball Report has rated him high. We didn’t see him in the second half of the year when his Sit Out Period was concluded. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see him this summer. 

In the meantime, here we go with our “Best Players Regardless of Position” ranking. 

1. Zach Strickland, Maranatha, R/R, 2025, UCLA, P/DH

The most highly prized player in the area since Jared Jones was in high school at La Mirada. Everyone talks about his 95 MPH fastball, but his slider is just as nasty as Jones’ in his junior year. The word amongst those in the scouting community is that there is no chance that he’ll take one step at UCLA and immediately turn pro. Make sure and catch him in action next year – he’s that good. 

2. David Myzsa, La Salle, R/R, 2024, UCLA, OF

This could be the hidden gem of John Savage’s bumper crop of players that will be entering the program. He can run like a gazelle in the outfield, has a powerful arm, and can hit for power. He hit home runs against Arcadia’s Palencia and San Dimas’s Favela which left everyone’s jaw dropping. We’d be shocked if he doesn’t make an immediate impact for UCLA. 

3. Landon White, San Dimas, R/R, 2024, Arizona State, IF

This prospect took the elevator jump on our rankings after one of the most successful seasons in his career. His home run against Los Altos showed that he can be a hitter than can hit for power. Defensively, there weren’t many flaws. Don’t be surprised if you see this prospect in the majors in a few years. 

4. Maverek Russell, La Mirada, L/R, 2025, UCLA, IF

Anyone who questioned this guy’s power at the plate was silenced with he hit a home run in the first inning of last Friday’s game against Orange Lutheran’s Gary Morse. He made the move from first to third base very nicely on the defensive side. Another player who will be another prized gem in the 2025 graduating class for UCLA’s Savage. 

5. Fernando Palencia, Arcadia, R/R, 2024, USD, P/IF

This might have a few eyes raised, but we’ve seen this pitcher perform twice this season (one early and one late) and he keeps impressing. His 90MPH fastball has left hitters muttering to themselves when their at-bats are done. The great part is that he can also hit prolifically and plays a shortstop at a high level. He has made a huge impact on this program that will be talked about for years to come.

6. Kasen Khansarinia, San Dimas, R/R, 2024, UCLA, UTL.

We’ve seen this player blossom in front of our eyes for the past three years and he has handled all the baggage that comes with being one of the top-ranked players in the area. He can play second base, shortstop, centerfield, and pitcher. Plus, he has one of the more efficient swings you will see from anyone in the area. One thing about UCLA’s Savage, he knows how to pick’em. 

7. Nikko Paoletto, Damien, R/R, 2024, Utah, OF

In our eyes, he is one of the more underrated players in the area. This prospect is just as good as Khansarinia and you can be sure that he’ll be an all-conference player at Utah. The home run that he hit against Bishop Amat had an exit velocity of 94 MPH and went over the left-center field fence. It was one of the longest home runs that we’ve seen in years. Put him in San Dimas’ lineup and they probably beat Harvard-Westlake. 

8. Noah Malone, South Hills, R/R, 2024, LMU, OF/P

We’re a little biased about him because… he loves the stock market (it’s no joke). Putting that aside, he is one of the more explosive offensive players that has been produced in Darren Murphy’s tenure at South Hills. He put it on display at last year’s SGV All-Star Underclass Game. His bat will be welcomed at LMU immediately. 

9. Jude Favela, San Dimas, R/R, 2024 USC, P/DH

The fastest rising prospect on our board. He was solid against Bonita early in the season, sensational in his performance at Ganesha at Boras when he tossed a no-hitter, and was the talk of everyone last Friday against Harvard-Westlake. The sky is the limit when we arrives at USC and could land a spot in the rotation next year. 

10. Paul Vasquez, South Hills, R/R, 2024, Oregon State, 3B

This player makes playing third base look easier than it is. He has great defensive instincts and a laser of an arm. When you couple that with his ability to hit for power consistently, you begin to see that was an easy choice to make the top 10. Don’t be surprised if he is successful in his first year with the Beavers. 

11. AJ Beltre, Maranatha, R/R, 2024, Washington, SS/P

The son of former Dodger great Adrian Beltre, the senior showed that he could play at a high level at shortstop, he has impressive speed and is an offensive threat. He also has a live arm in the mound as we had him clocked at 90 MPH in a relief appearance against Village Christian. Another product of the Matt Shupper machine at Maranatha. 

12. Travis Friend, La Mirada, R/R, 2025, UCLA, OF

Just love how this kid hits at the plate and has next-level speed in the outfield. The great thing about this player is that he has a huge upside, and his best baseball is in front of him. 

13. Aiden Aguayo, La Mirada, R/R, 2025, UCLA, SS

La Mirada is becoming a shortstop factory, and he is one in the latest line. He is slick with the glove and can also produce big hits when the moment calls for it. You can’t help but be impressed with this prospect when you watch him in person. 

14. Athen Malone, Charter Oak R/R, 2024, CS Fullerton, P

Anyone who questions this kid's ability (and I was one of them last year) was silenced after watching this performance against South Hills earlier in the season. He is a power pitcher in every sense of the word (FB in the 90’s) complemented with good off-speed stuff. He only dropped down on our board after he was shut down halfway through the season. We have high hopes that he’ll have a productive career at CS Fullerton. 

15. Gabe Lopez, Arcadia, L/L, 2024 Cal State Dominguez Hills, P

No one has worked harder to get into the top 20 than this player. The improvements he has made from 2023 have been impressive and inspiring. His best performance could have been last Friday when he shut down Westlake’s high-powered lineup last week. The fastball is a complement to his slider and change-up. If the Apaches win a CIF title, he is one of the main reasons why. 

16. Ryan Castro, San Dimas, R/R, 2024, UC Irvine, IF

Another member of the vaunted senior class from San Dimas. The SGV is getting the reputation of producing high-caliber shortstops and you can add this one to the list. Helped solidify the middle of the infield for Regan and Company. He’ll be a perfect fit at UCI. 

17. Andrew Carter, Damien, R/R, 2024, TCU, RHP

The ace of the Damien staff, Carter has size and arm speed that should help him in his effort to become an early contributor to a very good Big-12 program. We’ve clocked his FB in the high 80s with an effective slider. Charter Oak had few answers when they faced him in the middle of the season. 

18. Vaughn Coleman, San Dimas, R/R, 2025, Arizona State, OF

The biggest debate for anyone who evaluates players in the area is whether he can move up past the UCLA commits that are in front of him. That will be tough because of the young talent in the program. However, Arizona State did a good job of securing his services early in his recruiting. He is one of the more versatile players in the area with elite speed. 

19. Thomas Lieb, Maranatha, R/R, 2024, Oklahoma State, C/OF

Outfield is his main position, but he can also play some catcher as well. Lieb has elite speed in the outfield and showed in the Village Christian game that the potential is there (hitting against Pepperdine commit Winston Peterson). Scouts liked this prospect last summer on the club circuit and you can see why when you watch him in person. 

20. Elias Reyes, South Hills, R/R, 2025, LMU, RHP

A lot of debate about this spot, but in the end, the call was made on this prospect after his performance against La Mirada at the Prep Baseball Report Tournament. He accepted the challenge of taking on a very prolific batting lineup and did a great job of limiting La Mirada offensively. He might be a prospect that can improve his standing on our board next year. 

And here is our second 20… 

21. Matt Moreno, South Hills, R/R, 2024, LMU, SS/RHP

22. Diego Vasquez, Bonita, R/R, 2024, Uncommitted, SS

23. Eric Zdunek, Maranatha, R/R, 2026, TCU, Utility

24. Rocco Regan, San Dimas, L/R, 2024, Uncommitted, IF

25. Christian Gomez, South Hills, L/R. 2024, Cal Poly Pomona, IF

26. Caleb Trugman, Ayala, R/R, 2026, Uncommitted, P/3B

27. Camden Farina, Bonita, R/R, 2025, UC Santa Barbara, P

28. Jared Day, La Habra, R/R, 2024, Hawaii Pacific, P

29. Bear Calvo, La Mirada, R/R. 2027, Uncommitted, IF

30. Nathan Ries, Damien, R/R, 2024, Univ. San Diego, R/R, P

31. Bobby Brooks, La Habra, R/R, 2026, Uncommitted, IF

32. Jacob Oropeza, La Mirada, R/R, 2026, Uncommitted, P/IF

33. Landon Martin, Sonora, R/R, 2024, CS Fullerton, P

34. Luke Armijo, La Mirada, L/L, 2027, Uncommitted, P

35. Justin Romero, South Hills, R/R, 2026, Uncommitted, RHP

36. Miguel Perez, Bishop Amat, R/R, 2024, Uncommitted, OF

37. Kody King, San Dimas, L/L, 2024, Uncommitted, P/Util. 

38. Aaron Sandin, Bishop Amat, L/L, 2024, Uncommitted, P

39. Luke Bauer, South Hills, R/R, 2024, Uncommitted, DH/P

40. Kevin Jeon, La Mirada, R/R, 2025, Boston College, OF

OBSERVATIONS: The #20 slot could have been filled in with anyone from 21-25. But in the end, it was his performance against La Mirada at the Prep Baseball Report Tournament that Reyes was in the top 20… Two pitchers who made several jumps on our list after Friday were Jude Favela (San Dimas) and Gabe Lopez (Arcadia). Both turned in magnificent performances against some top-caliber competition. We had Favela ranked #15, but the effort against Harvard Westlake was sensational. We had Lopez in the “Second 20” but the performance against Westlake justified the move into the Top 20… There was some push and pull when it came to Kevin Jeon. But the thinking is that we want to see him have a huge summer so that we shoot up on our board. Make no mistake, he is a very good player… Be forewarned, the Class of 2026 is going to be off the charts… We feel pretty comfortable with a top-5 player ranking of Strickland, Russell, Friend, Aguayo, and Coleman for next preseason… The player that dropped a few spots on our board was Athen Malone. He was in our top 10 early in the season, but being shut down for half the season and the performance of several players in the last week of the season and the playoffs forced us to shuffle our board a little bit…                   

LA MIRADA ONCE AGAIN FALLS IN QUARTERS TO A TRINITY LEAGUE TEAM 

If you close your eyes hard enough, you’d think you were in 2023 last Friday at Glenn HS where the Matadores host Orange Lutheran. Last year, the Matadores pushed Santa Margarita to the limit before Eric Jeon’s pitch count forced him out of the game. It all went south for the winter from there as Santa Margarita ended up pummeling the Matadores. 

This year, La Mirada once again jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and all it took was one swing from Texas A&M commit Josiah Hartshorn (by the way, the ball just landed) for a three-run homer and some ill-advised defensive errors from the La Mirada defense for the game to get out of hand against in a 9-4 loss. 

It’s just a fact of life these days for the elite area teams in the area that the deck is stacked against you in Div. 1. One area head baseball coach observed that the teams from the Trinity and Mission League, “load up on pitching so that they get enough offense to make them tough to beat.” When you throw in silly mistakes such as throwing errors and wild pitches that move runners with ease, it’s virtually impossible to win.

You couldn’t find a more exasperated coach than Jimmy Zurn when Friday’s season-ending game concluded. He has spent the majority of time at La Mirada trying to crack the Trinity League code. He might be able to do it as he has one of the more stacked teams in the area next year, but there will be no guarantees that his team will make it to the promised land that is the D-1 finals.

As he, and softball brethren Brent Tuttle, found out last week, all it takes is one swing of the bat to send you into the offseason and making end-of-the-season banquet plans. 

But Zurn will get back on the horse and give it another shot in 2025.

It’s the only way he knows. 

As rapper Nathan Feuerstein (better known as NF), says in his award-winning song “Hope”, “What’s my definition of success? Creating something no one else can, being brave enough to dream big, grinding when you’re told to just quit, giving more when you got nothin’ left.”

Who knew that NF nailed Jimmy Zurn perfectly? 

See you next week at Lake Elsinore and/or Irvine.