The final week of the CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs arrives with a cascade of storylines that have captivated the Inland Empire. Four championship games will be played across divisions, each pitting elite high school programs against one another in pursuit of a coveted section title.
In Division 1, Norco will meet St. John Bosco in a rematch of last year’s championship. Norco, a perennial contender, is seeking its first section crown after runner‑up finishes in 1984 and 2019, while Bosco enters as the defending champion having rolled through four straight victories to reach the final.
Star Arms Lead the Charge
Jordan Ayala of Norco brings a 0.71 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 59 innings, anchoring a rotation that also features junior shortstop Dylan Seward, widely regarded as the top prospect of the 2027 class. Across the mound, St. John Bosco’s ace Julian Garcia boasts an 0.88 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 63 ⅓ innings, positioning him as a formidable opponent.
Both pitchers are expected to be among the names called in the upcoming MLB draft, adding extra intrigue to the showdown. Scouts have noted the poise of Ayala and the durability of Garcia, each of whom has delivered clutch performances in the playoffs.
Other Divisions Bring Fresh Faces
Division 2 will see Ganesha take on Loyola. Ganesha’s senior pitcher Logan Schmidt, committed to LSU, is projected to be a mid‑round MLB pick, while Loyola’s freshman Sheriff Hall has been perfect in his two playoff starts, having not surrendered a run.
In Division 5, Kaiser will face Culver City. Kaiser’s senior right‑hander Zeke Cortez has fanned 20 batters in just 14 playoff innings, a performance that has helped the team advance to its first section final in program history. Culver City, meanwhile, is making its inaugural appearance in a championship game.
Division 9 will feature Webb versus Rolling Hills Prep. Webb’s senior shortstop Alec Kaushal is batting .559 with 27 RBIs, while the opposing junior shortstop Samuel Lopez is even more prolific, posting a .672 average with 13 homers and 44 RBIs.
The championship games are scheduled to be held at venues that include Blair Field in Long Beach and other regional sites, with live coverage slated on the MLB platform, underscoring the growing visibility of high school baseball in the region.
Beyond the diamond, the tournaments have sparked community excitement, with local businesses and schools rallying behind their teams. The outcomes will also influence draft projections and college commitments for several of the highlighted players.