Championship Matchups
The upcoming CIF‑SS baseball championships will feature two compelling matchups that have captured the attention of Southern California fans. In Division 8, Rancho Alamitos will meet Schurr, while in Division 4, Laguna Beach will take on Glendora. Both games promise a clash of rising talent and seasoned experience.
Rancho Alamitos' First Championship Appearance
Rancho Alamitos, making its first appearance in a championship game, arrives with an impressive 15‑2 record. Senior pitcher‑batter Henry Garcia leads the Vaqueros with a .381 batting average, 32 hits — including 15 doubles — and a 10‑3 record on the mound, posting a 2.72 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 77 ⅓ innings.
Schurr's Playoff Experience
Schurr, known for a dramatic playoff run, counters with junior Joseph Tapia, who is batting .423 with 22 hits and nine doubles in 21 games, and senior Joey Amano, the likely starter on the mound, who is 4‑0 with a 2.58 ERA.
Division 4 Rematch
Division 4 features Laguna Beach, a program that captured the title in 2016, now back in the finals. Junior Dylan Yencho is batting .455 with 50 hits and 28 RBIs in 31 games, while the team may turn to junior Aaron Crosby, a 5‑4 pitcher with a 2.04 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 61 ⅔ innings.
Glendora brings senior Tanner Grable into the mix, a .404 hitter with four home runs and 29 RBIs, who also serves as the likely starting pitcher, posting a 3‑7 record and a 5.71 ERA.
The juxtaposition of debutants and seasoned contenders sets the stage for a weekend of high‑stakes baseball, with pitching duels and offensive fireworks expected to define the contests.