‘Catz off to blazing start in PCAL Cypress Division play | High school baseball

Watsonville High senior Rudy Valdez has helped the Wildcatz's baseball team go on a six game win streak, and a 5-0 start in PCAL Cypress Division play this season. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)

After going winless in the non-league portion of its 2025 spring schedule, Watsonville’s baseball team has seemed to turn things around just in the nick of time. The Wildcatz have won six straight and are 5-0 to begin Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division play, including a romping 15-0 victory over Marina on Monday evening.… Continue reading ‘Catz off to blazing start in PCAL Cypress Division play | High school baseball

St. Francis baseball star Nash Horton verbally commits to Pepperdine 

St. Francis High junior Nash Horton was named the Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division's co-Most Valuable Player for the 2024 baseball season. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian file photo)

St. Francis High senior Nash Horton last month was presented with an offer he just couldn’t refuse. The Sharks baseball standout verbally committed to play for Pepperdine University after he was told a roster spot would be waiting for him in the 2026 spring season. “It’s an awesome opportunity. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about… Continue reading St. Francis baseball star Nash Horton verbally commits to Pepperdine 

SV’s LaRiviere named MVP, Aptos’ Espinoza earns Pitcher of the Year | All-SCCAL baseball

Scotts Valley High senior Blake LaRiviere was lights out on the mound for the Falcons during the 2024 season. LaRiviere was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League's Most Valuable Player by coaches within the league. (Juan Reyes/Press Banner)

Blake LaRiviere had the initial plan of playing for both the Scotts Valley High football and baseball teams to close out his senior year with a bang. Instead, he decided to opt out of the football season so he could focus on baseball and develop physically. It was a tough decision for LaRiviere, but ultimately… Continue reading SV’s LaRiviere named MVP, Aptos’ Espinoza earns Pitcher of the Year | All-SCCAL baseball

Sharks’ baseball postseason aspirations cut short by TKA | CCS playoffs roundup

St. Francis High senior Micah Cervantes records a hit in the second inning of the Central Coast Section Division II quarterfinals game against The King's Academy in Watsonville on May 18. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian)

The St. Francis High baseball team entered last week’s Central Coast Section playoffs against The King’s Academy riding the high of a 15-game winning streak. It was a win-or-go-home scenario and, while both teams gave it all they had, the Knights concluded the Sharks’ season with a resounding 16-4 victory in the Division II quarterfinals… Continue reading Sharks’ baseball postseason aspirations cut short by TKA | CCS playoffs roundup

Local teams awarded home game for CCS quarterfinals | High school baseball 

The St. Francis High baseball team has won eight-straight games in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division play since losing to Salinas High on March 19. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)

A trio of local baseball teams have been preparing this week for the upcoming Central Coast Section baseball playoffs. Aptos, St. Francis and Scotts Valley high schools will have the luxury of hosting the quarterfinals after earning a high seed in their respective divisions. Below is a quick breakdown for each matchup. Division II  No. 4… Continue reading Local teams awarded home game for CCS quarterfinals | High school baseball 

Sharks begin to heat up at the right time | High school baseball

St. Francis High senior Trey Silva has helped the Sharks baseball team stay in the hunt for a Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division title this season. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)

St. Francis High baseball head coach Ken Nakagawa has no doubt this year’s group is talented enough to go on a Central Coast Section title run. The faith has always been there.  But more importantly to him, it’s just a matter of when they can get hot.  “I think we’re starting to heat up at… Continue reading Sharks begin to heat up at the right time | High school baseball

Mariners aiming for fourth straight SCCAL title | High school baseball

Aptos High senior Ed Peters is a key returner for the Mariners baseball team that is off to a 2-0 start in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action this season. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)

Aptos High made its return to the diamond in February on a mission for a fourth straight league baseball championship in 2024.  It won’t be a cakewalk, though. Led by ninth-year head coach Jason Biancardi, he knows the Mariners will once again be the target of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, especially with their… Continue reading Mariners aiming for fourth straight SCCAL title | High school baseball

Mustangs looking to prove they belong in Gabilan Division | High school baseball

The Monte Vista Christian baseball team was promoted to the Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division for the 2024 season. (contributed)

Two years ago, the Monte Vista Christian baseball team captured the program’s first-ever Central Coast Section and CIF NorCal State championship titles in the same season.  For third-year head coach Johnny Ramirez, the wait has been too long, and the Mustangs are looking to snatch back their titles in 2024.  “We lost a few key… Continue reading Mustangs looking to prove they belong in Gabilan Division | High school baseball

Cougars baseball optimistic for upcoming league season

San Lorenzo Valley High senior John Clinkenbeard will help lead the Cougars baseball team as they enter Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action on March 15. (Paul Firenzi/Press Banner file photo)

San Lorenzo Valley High junior Jaden Shabry and the rest of the baseball team is beaming with confidence as they enter the 2024 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League season starting this week. The Cougars star shortstop and pitcher is batting a .368 (7-of-19) average with one double, four RBIs and four runs scored. Sharby also… Continue reading Cougars baseball optimistic for upcoming league season

Wildcatz aim for a return to the postseason | High school baseball

Watsonville High senior Brody Legions will play a big role on the Wildcatz baseball team this season. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Baseball season is finally upon us. Besides the recent rain storms, it has been all smiles at Watsonville High as the baseball team works its way back. The Wildcatz are led by second-year head coach Tige McSwain Sr. at the helm. In his first season with the program, the ‘Catz finished with a 9-11 overall… Continue reading Wildcatz aim for a return to the postseason | High school baseball