The final whistle at the state tournament echoed with celebration as Valley Christian High School clinched its third straight 3A championship, edging Yuma Catholic 6-5 in a back‑and‑forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
At the heart of the victory was senior pitcher Cameron Bergloff, who despite an early rocky outing settled into a rhythm that limited the opposition and preserved the lead during critical moments.
MVP Honors and a Coach’s Vision
Ryan Sanchez added a pivotal strikeout duo in the seventh inning, shutting down a late rally attempt by Yuma Catholic and preserving the narrow advantage.
Brock Jackson’s all‑around impact earned him the AIA MVP honor, capping a performance that blended power at the plate with steady defense.
The milestone follows a cultural overhaul that began eight years ago under coach Damon Gilliland and has been sustained by current head coach Vince LaGatta, who praised Yuma Catholic’s effort and highlighted pitcher Hiram Silva’s contributions.
LaGatta noted the team’s disciplined approach, pointing to a three‑run third inning fueled by deep sacrifice flies and a fourth‑inning burst of unearned runs that stemmed from defensive miscues, while stressing the importance of composure.