The boys baseball team advanced to the quarterfinals of California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division I Playoffs after defeating La Mirada High School 3-0 in the first round of playoffs on May 12 and Huntington Beach High School 6-5 in the second round on May 15.
Center fielder Ira Rootman ’27 said the team has grown closer throughout the enitre season and that their victory over Huntington Beach was especially memorable.
“Our season is going great,” Rootman said. “We have really come together as a team, and it’s been beautiful to watch. My favorite moment of this year so far has been when we walked off Huntington Beach High School, and [outfielder] Ethan Price [‘26] hit a single in the middle to win the game.”
Shortstop Vanderbilt commit James Tronstein ’26 said their victory at the USA Baseball National High School Invitational in North Carolina showed what the team is capable of.
“My favorite moment this season was definitely when in North Carolina we were able to make a huge adjustment, come back and win a huge game against a really good opponent,” Tronstein said. “It really allowed us to realize the capability of what we can do and who we are as a team.”
Right-handed pitcher Mateo Mier ’29 said pitching on alumni day stood out to him, especially coming off of his injury at the beginning of the season.
“The game I’m most proud of is when I pitched on alumni day,” Mier said. “It was really cool pitching in front of all of the players who came to the school before me. My biggest challenge this season was getting injured at the beginning of the season. I was out for eight weeks, [but] I was able to overcome it by making sure I did my physical therapy so I could get back on the field as fast as possible.
First baseman and outfielder Max Hong ’27 said the team struggled throughout the season but improved after focusing on connection and consistency.
“In the fall we really struggled finding ourselves as a team,” Hong said. “After a poor fall game against Oaks Christian High School, we met as a team and made sure we focused on playing for each other and playing the best brand of baseball. We traveled to Arizona the following week and beat two very talented teams. This year, we’ve kept the theme of staying with ourselves and playing to our absolute best, no matter who our opponent is.”
Designated hitter Nathan Englander ’29 said hitting his first home run in the final game of the season was the highlight of the season, and that the team’s main goal is to win the state championship.
“My proudest moment was definitely when I hit a home run against Notre Dame High School in the final game of the season,” Englander said. “It was my first high school home run and an experience I’ll never forget. Our main goal is to win the state championship and see the seniors dog pile for their final ride.”
The team will face Cypress High School during the CIF-SS Quarterfinals at O’Malley Family Field on May 22.
