A Night of Thrills Across the Section
The 2026 Northern Section baseball playoffs reached a crescendo on Tuesday, May 19, as twelve contests unfolded across the region, delivering a slate of games that combined high‑stakes drama with unexpected twists.
Four Redding‑area programs — Foothill, West Valley, U‑Prep and Redding Christian — secured their places in the section championship, each navigating a path marked by resilient pitching and timely hitting that kept their title hopes alive.
Standout Pitching and Hitting Performances
Blake Schwerdt of Foothill turned in a masterful outing, throwing seven innings while allowing just two runs and striking out ten batters, a performance that helped his squad pull away early. Across the diamond, Vinny Boatwright of Chico matched the effort with six and two‑thirds innings, surrendering two runs and fanning nine, while Guiseppe Bianchi contributed a 3‑for‑3 effort that included a double and a walk.
Matthew Baas added a shutout for Foothill, limiting opponents to five hits and recording three strikeouts, and the offensive fireworks continued as Jack Ampi of U‑Prep collected three hits, two runs and an RBI before stepping onto the mound for three innings that yielded three runs. Garrett Webb of Redding Christian combined a double, a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored with four innings of work that permitted only one run.
The breadth of talent extended to players such as Colton Cervelli of Yreka, who pitched six and one‑third innings while walking six batters, and Kale Springer of West Valley, who delivered five innings of one‑run ball with three strikeouts. Additional standout displays came from Kyson Button of Los Molinos, who tallied two hits, a run and two RBIs, and from Dennis Dewhurst of Biggs, who logged three and one‑third innings with six strikeouts.
From extra‑inning victories to walk‑off home runs, the night underscored the unpredictable nature of postseason play, where emerging stars and seasoned veterans alike seized moments that will be remembered throughout the section’s championship run.