SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: PREP ROUNDUP, April 10, 2025
Ayala's Sarmiento tosses a no-hitter against Diamond Bar; Ayala defeats Bonita in a key Palomares League softball affair.
Ayala pitcher Easton Sarmiento (right) and catcher Codey Brown (left) after Sarmiento’s first high school no-hitter in Ayala’s 10-0 win over Diamond Bar. (Photo: Ayala Baseball)
BASEBALL
PALOMARES LEAGUE
Ayala 10, Diamond Bar 0: In the pitching performance of the day in the area, sophomore lefty Easton Sarmiento tossed his first career high school no-hitter as he allowed two walks and struck out 10. His pitching line was 84 pitches/53 strikes (63% strike rate). Junior Caleb Trugman electrified the home crowd with a titanic home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Game three of the series takes place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Diamond Bar.
Bonita 8, Walnut 4: The Bearcats scored five runs in the fifth inning to take game two of the three-game series. Cody White and Dominic Garcia each drove in two runs. Daniel Nageer captured the win with another impressive pitching line of 4.1, 1ER, 4H, and 6Ks. His record improved to 5-2, 1.66 ERA.
DEL REY LEAGUE
St. Paul 4, Paraclete 1: The Swordsmen put this game out of reach by scoring two runs in the fourth inning. Kalai Benavente hit a two-run home run, and Tristan Foster connected on a solo homer. Fernie Soto surrendered one unearned run on six hits with a strikeout in a complete-game effort.
MISSION VALLEY LEAGUE
Marshall 12, El Monte 0: George Jennings tossed three scoreless innings and struck out four to earn the decision for the Eagles.
MONTVIEW LEAGUE
Nogales 4, Garey 0: Nathan Lopez threw his second shutout of the season as he tossed a four-hitter and struck out eight. Carlos Cruz and Jonathan Blacklock each hit triples for the Nobles.
Azusa 7, Duarte 5: The Aztecs pushed across three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to pull out an exciting league win. Sophomore Rafael Molina was the offensive standout of the game as he went 4 for 4.
RIO HONDO LEAGUE
South Pasadena 2, La Canada 0: Ethan Kim’s double in the top of the second inning scored Raphi Hall and Diego Gurfein with the only runs of the game as the Tigers upset the host Spartans. Jon Bracamonte kept the Spartans' bats quiet as he tossed six scoreless innings, allowed two hits, and struck out 10. Joe Bell was also impressive for La Canada, striking out six in 5.1 innings of work. With the loss, the Spartans dropped to third place in the Rio Hondo League standings.
VALLE VISTA LEAGUE
Charter Oak 8, Rowland 2: The Chargers extended their winning streak to four games with a road win against the Chargers. Diego Ramirez (who had 2 RBIs) and Diego Flores each connected on doubles. Martina Luna scored three times. Christian Lopez allowed two runs on three hits and struck out four in earning his first win of the season.
NONLEAGUE
La Mirada 6, Poly Prep Country Day 2: The Matadores returned from their tough loss in the first game at the National Invitational Tournament in North Carolina. Ian Nunez and Jesse Colon each had two hits.
La Habra 7, La Quinta 1: Andrew Gandara and Jonah Mayo each had two hits, and Maddox Moreno tossed five shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out two to earn the win. Moreno has won his last two starts and has a record of 3-1, 1.04 ERA.
Other Scores
Ganesha 17, Edgewood 0
Valley Christian 8, Whittier Christian 2
Claremont 4, Glendora 3
SOFTBALL
PALOMARES LEAGUE
Ayala 4, Bonita 1: In the area’s game of the day, Bonita got on the board early, scoring its only run in the first inning on a single by Skyy Hicks that drove in standout sophomore Koa Puppe. But Ayala answered quickly, putting up three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Lilanna Acosta helped her own cause with an RBI single, while Jayden Tamura's sacrifice fly scored Taelor Walker, and courtesy runner Mariah Holguin came around to score on the same play. That early support was all Acosta needed. She went the distance, improving to 6-0 in the season with a 1.58 ERA. Bonita's Serenity Reyes also pitched a complete game, striking out six. With the win, the Bulldogs stay atop the league standings at 11-2 overall and 6-1 in league play. They’ll face Claremont next week in a home-and-home series.
Glendora 8, Walnut 4: The Tartans broke a 4-4 tie by scoring three runs in the fifth inning to earn a road league win. Elizabeth Dominguez hit a three-run home run, and Kylie Coleman went 2 for 4. Gianna Messick struck out eight in a complete-game effort and improved her record to 7-0 with a 1.81 ERA.
ALMONT LEAGUE
Schurr 14, San Gabriel 0: Amanda Gonzalez and Melina Sanchez combined on a five-inning one-hitter. Sarah Cervantes had another stellar offensive performance with three hits and three RBIs.
Keppel 9, Alhambra 0: Robyn Guitron tossed a two-hitter and struck out 16. Her record improved to 8-1 with a 1.03 ERA.
DEL RIO LEAGUE
California 12, El Rancho 2: The Condors scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back in defeating the visiting Dons. Jessica Gurule and Mia Martinez had two hits, and Bella Esparza connected on a two-run single. Long Beach State commit Pricilla Ramirez allowed two unearned runs on three hits and struck out three.
La Serna 9, Whittier 1: Lexi Avila had an inside-the-park home run, with Isabela Sanchez, a UCSB commit, and Elissa Guerrero (a Long Beach State commit) collecting two hits as the Lancers had no trouble turning back the Cardinals. Ava Jimnez looked solid in the circle for the Lancers, allowing one run on four hits and striking out two in picking up her second win of the season.
FREEWAY LEAGUE
La Habra 2, El Dorado 1: La Habra won a nine-inning softball thriller, staying unbeaten in Freeway League play. Angelina Renteria scored the winning run on a passed ball. Strong pitching by Maddison Payne and tight defense helped La Habra overcome El Dorado, for a season sweep.
Sonora 7, Villa Park 6: Anela Quinones sent Raider fans home happy as her walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh innings gave Sonora a thrilling win. It also snapped a two-game losing streak.
GATEWAY LEAGUE
La Mirada 8, Downey 7: It was a struggle, but the Matadores held off a late comeback by the Vikings to emerge with a road league win. Amanda Urbina and Riley Hillard connected on home runs. The Mats will be in action this weekend as they host the La Mirada Classic.
MONTVIEW LEAGUE
Sierra Vista 13, Baldwin Park 2: The Dons showed everyone in attendance why they are in first place in the league standings with an easy win over the host Braves. Kayla Iniguez and Isabella Lopez each connected on doubles that scored three runs.
Nogales 12, Garey 10: The Nobles scored five runs in the sixth inning and pulled out an exciting win to move into third place in the league standings. Jayda Eaton went 4 for 4 with a home run and drove in four runs.
PREP LEAGUE
Flintridge Prep 15, Westridge 5: The Wolves had multiple players with big offensive performances. Emma Carmach went 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs, with Mary Sinclair and Sapna Pradhan each connecting on three hits. Marysa Ybarra connected on a three-run homer for the Tigers.
RIO HONDO LEAGUE
South Pasadena 5, Monrovia 2: The Tigers rallied from a 2-1 deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and earned a home win. Natalie Kan and Bella Ventura each drove in two runs.
SANTA FE LEAGUE
La Salle 12, Pomona Catholic 2: Layla Loya had a big offensive day as she went 4 for 4 with 3 RBIs.
VALLE VISTA LEAGUE
Charter Oak 10, Rowland 0: Mibella Huerta tossed four shutout innings in the circle and fanned two hitters in earning the win. Alexa Bryan connected on a three-run home run.
Other Scores
Saint Joseph 5, St. Paul 3
Mary Star of the Sea 4, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 3
Valley Christian 18, Maranatha 2
St. Monica 3, Ramona Convent 2
Bell Gardens 6, Montebello 4