The Live Oak baseball team closed out the Blossom Valley Athletic League season with a seven‑game winning streak, sealing first place in a tiebreaker over Sobrato and finishing the league schedule at 11‑3.
Coach Felipe Castellanos deliberately scheduled a tough preseason to sharpen his squad for the rigors of league play, a strategy that paid dividends as the team clicked early and never looked back.
Lefty pitcher Austin Meads emerged as a cornerstone of the rotation, posting a sparkling 2.68 ERA and earning co‑Pitcher of the Year honors for his consistency on the mound.
At the plate, Noah Baquiran anchored the offense with a .506 batting average, 42 hits and 28 RBIs, providing the firepower that kept opponents reeling.
Supporting the star performers were Nathan Bergstrom, who batted .367 with 22 runs and 11 steals, Brody Costa, who posted a .348 average with 16 RBIs and nine steals, and Jack Rice, who hit .347 and drove in 23 runs, a performance that earned him Sophomore of the Year recognition.
Rising Stars
The roster blended upperclassmen with a wave of underclass talent, including freshmen, sophomores and juniors who gained valuable experience throughout the campaign.
Nine of the eleven players who appeared in 17 or more games will return next season, ensuring continuity and a strong foundation for future success.
The team’s schedule included victories over Gilroy, Oak Grove, Leland and Lincoln, underscoring its ability to compete with a variety of league opponents.
In the CCS Division V playoffs, Live Oak faced St. Francis of Watsonville in a quarterfinal showdown and fell short, but the experience should prove valuable as the program moves forward.
Beyond the headline names, the squad also featured Nathan Lozano, Spencer Westfield, Adrian Torres, Devon Bieganski, Enzo Castellanos, Will Habina, Landon Stump and Matt Baquiran, each contributing to the team’s depth and spirit.