CIF Southern Section baseball championship games will be played over the next two days at Cal State Fullerton’s Goodwin Field and Long Beach State’s Blair Field.
Five Inland teams have reached the finals and look to bring home championship hardware Saturday.
Here is a closer look at those five championship games.
DIVISION 3
San Dimas (19-10) vs. Glendora (22-10), 4 p.m. Saturday at Goodwin Field
IE Varsity info: San Dimas seeks the program’s third section championship in as many tries, with the previous titles coming in 1985 and 2009. The Saints advanced with wins over Calabasas, top-seeded Colony, Paraclete and Beckman. Sophomore James Rocha (6-4, 1.89 ERA) is expected to get the start on the mound Saturday. Rocha has appeared in all four playoff games, earning two wins and two saves. He has allowed only two runs in 15 1/3 innings in the postseason. Senior outfielder Vaughn Coleman leads the team with a .315 average, 30 runs and 22 RBI. Glendora prevailed in the program’s only other finals appearance (2010). The Tartans reached this year’s final with wins over Citrus Valley, No. 2-seeded Yucaipa, Costa Mesa and No. 3-seeded Temecula Valley. Junior Tanner Grable (4-3, 3.13 ERA) should earn the start on the mound but multiple arms could be used. Junior shortstop John Seader leads the team with a .394 average and 24 runs scored.
Prediction: San Dimas.
DIVISION 4
Ganesha (22-3) vs. Dos Pueblos (22-10), 4 p.m. Saturday at Blair Field
IE Varsity info: Ganesha seeks the program’s second section championship in three seasons. The Giants are riding a 19-game winning streak, including playoff wins over Burbank Burroughs, La Canada, No. 3-seeded Saugus, and South Torrance. Ganesha’s pitching staff has allowed only two runs in those four postseason games. Senior Gavin Moran (signed with UC Santa Barbara) will be on the mound Saturday. He has thrown a two-hit shutout and a one-hit shutout his past two playoff starts. Catcher Isaiah Ibarra and designated hitter Sutton Frost lead the offense. Dos Pueblos has reached the section finals for the second time and seeks the program’s first championship. The Chargers advanced with wins over Katella, Valencia, Trinity Classical Academy, and Thousand Oaks. Senior Derek Brunet (6-4, 2.75 ERA) is slated to start for Dos Pueblos. Senior Zach Gesswein lead the team with a ..427 average, and senior first baseman Alexander Hajda has a team-high 35 RBIs.
Prediction: Ganesha
DIVISION 5
Elsinore (22-7) vs. St. Anthony (21-8), 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Blair Field
IE Varsity info: Elsinore has reached the section finals for the third time and seeks the program’s first title since 1970. The Tigers have won 16 of their past 17 games, including playoff victories over Covina, Bishop Montgomery, No. 3-seeded Liberty, and Camarillo. Junior Jacob Farias (4-0, 1.83 ERA) likely will be handed the ball for the championship game. Sophomore shortstop Andrew Jimenez leads the team with a .417 average and 32 runs scored, and he could be used in relief on the mound Saturday. Sophomore right fielder Ivan Huerta has knocked in a team-high 25 runs. St. Anthony is making its third trip to the section finals and seeks the program’s first title. The Saints advanced with wins over Heritage, Jurupa Hills, Hillcrest and top-seeded Northwood. Senior Benny Lane (10-1, 2.81 ERA) is expected to draw the start for St. Anthony. Lane also leads the team with .456 average, nine home runs and 41 RBIs.
Prediction: St. Anthony
DIVISION 7
Notre Dame (21-9) vs. Mary Star (16-12), 1 p.m. Saturday at Blair Field
IE Varsity info: Notre Dame is making its third appearance in the section finals and seeks the program’s first title since 1971. The Titans advanced with wins over Thacher, Granite Hills, Artesia, and Grace. Senior Brandon Sanchez (9-2, 1.54 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Notre Dame. The offense is led by senior shortstop Daniel Hernandez (.512 average) and Sanchez (.500 average). Mary Star is making its second trip to the section finals and is looking to win the program’s first championship. The Stars advanced with wins over Patriot, Lancaster, No. 4-seeded Garden Grove, and top-seeded Channel Islands. Mary Star is averaging 9.8 runs per game during the postseason.
Prediction: Notre Dame
DIVISION 9
Nuview Bridge (16-10) vs. Mountain View (15-11), 10 a.m. Saturday at Goodwin Field
IE Varsity info: Nuview Bridge is seeking the program’s second section title in as many trips to the finals, with the previous championship in 2014. The No. 2-seeded Knights advanced with wins over Gorman Charter, Ojai Valley, Santa Rosa Academy, and Academy for Academic Excellence. Sophomore Luca Canales is expected to be in the mound to start Saturday’s game. The offense is led by sophomore shortstop Ethan Rivera (.523 average, 35 runs, 29 RBIs) and junior catcher Tobias Olague (29 RBIs). Mountain View has reached the finals for the first time in program history. The Vikings advanced with wins over Redlands Adventist Academy, Shalhevet (forfeit), No. 4-seeded Pomona, and Coastal Christian. Junior Alex Moreno (5-1, 1.62 EA) is the slated starter for Mountain View.
Prediction: Mountain View
