The Corona High baseball team is one win away from making a second straight appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 finals.
Corona (28-2) has been impressive, so far, in defense of its Division 1 crown, knocking out Los Osos and Big VIII League rival Norco in previous rounds. And now the top-seeded Panthers will make the trip to Bellflower to face No. 4-seeded St. John Bosco (25-4) in a semifinal game Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
Seth Hernandez, the top-rated high school pitcher in the nation, is expected to get the start. He is 9-0 with a 0.14 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings. Anthony Murphy has been one of many offensive standouts for the Panthers. He is batting .426 with 11 home runs, 35 runs batted in, and 39 runs scored.
Eight other teams from the greater Inland area are playing in semifinal games Tuesday afternoon. All of those games are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. starts.
Etiwanda (17-12-1) makes the trip to Valencia to play West Ranch (23-9) in a Division 2 semifinal. The Eagles are seeking the program’s fourth trip to the finals and first since winning the Division 2 title in 2022. Jaeden Toki leads the team with a ..376 average, while Angel Mejia tops the offense with 21 RBIs.
Temecula Valley (19-11) heads to Glendora (21-10) for a Division 3 semifinal game. The No. 3-seeded Golden Bears are looking to reach the finals for the fifth time and first since winning the Division 2 title in 2014. Temecula Valley could turn to Cal State Fullerton-bound Taden Krogsgaard (5-1, 1.88 ERA) on the mound. Stafford Johnson leads the team with a .456 average, while Chase Hilt has knocked in a team-high 20 runs.
San Dimas (18-10) travels to Irvine to play Beckman (18-13) in the other Division 3 semifinal. San Dimas is seeking the program’s third finals appearance and first since winning the Division 4 title in 2009. Freshman Dean Brosterhouse (7-2, 2.02 ERA) is expected to be handed the ball for the Saints.
Ganesha (21-3) hosts South Torrance (18-13) in a Division 4 semifinal game. The Giants are seeking the program’s second trip to the finals (Division 7 champs in 2023). Sutton Frost is scheduled to make the start for Ganesha.
Elsinore (21-7) hosts Camarillo (15-16) in a Division 5 semifinal game. The Tigers are looking to reach the finals for the third time and first since finishing as the Division 6 runner-up in 2021. Brayden Stankus (8-1, 1.81 ERA) should draw the start. Andrew Jimenez leads the offense with a .432 average.
Notre Dame (20-9) heads to Simi Valley for a Division 7 semifinal game against Grace (14-11-2). The Titans are seeking the program’s third trip to the finals and first since finishing as the Division 1A runner-up in 1976.
Colton (12-16) hosts Fillmore (12-17) in a Division 8 semifinal game. The top-seeded Yellowjackets are looking to reach the section finals for the third time and first since finishing as the Division 4A runner up in 1983. Jesse Ruiz leads the team with a .312 average.
Nuview Bridge (15-10) makes the trip to Apple Valley to face Academy for Academic Excellence (15-9) in a Division 9 semifinal. The No. 2-seeded Knights are looking to reach the finals for the second time (Division 7 champs in 2014). Ethan Rivera leads the team with a .537 average, and Tobias Olague has a team-high 29 RBIs.
