CIF-SS baseball finals previews and predictions for SGV teams

Previews and predictions for the San Gabriel Valley teams playing in the CIF Southern Section baseball championships on Saturday at Cal State Fullerton and LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga.

DIVISION 2

Ganesha (25-3-1) vs. Loyola (19-12-1) at LoanMart Field, 5:30 p.m.: The Giants are hoping to win back-to-back championships after winning the Division 4 title last season. It would be their third championship in four years after also having won the Division 7 title in 2023. Giants senior Logan Schmidt, an LSU commit who is widely projected to be a first-round pick as a lefy pitcher in July's Major League Baseball draft, will likely start against Loyola. Schmidt has been absolutely dominant as a pitcher and hitter during the playoffs.

He has thrown 14 shutout innings. Schmidt struck out 14 and allowed three hits in a 4-0 victory over Elsinore in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals. Schmidt was also 3 for 3 at the plate. He hit a game-winning two-run homer in the first round. In the semifinals he had three hits, and started the rally in the seventh inning that led to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Newport Harbor in the semifinals. Schmidt has a 9-0 record and came into the playoffs with a 0.16 ERA. He also bats over .500. It doesn't matter what Loyola's done, how can you bet against Schmidt and Ganesha with him starting.

The pick: Ganesha

DIVISION 4

Glendora (19-11) vs. Laguna Beach (20-11) at Cal State Fullerton, 7:30 p.m.: For the second-straight season the Tartans turned a so-so regular season into playoff mastery. The Tartans, who won the Division 3 championship last season, rallied in the semifinals to to defeat Saugus, 3-2, and now will have an opportunity to play for back-to-back championships. The Tartans were trailing 2-0 going to the sixth inning against Saugus when their fortunes changed.

Senior Tanner Grable belted a sacrifice fly to tie the score, then Santiago Garza smashed a go-ahead, two-run homer to left, and that's how it ended. Sebastian Lawrence pitched all seven innings in the win, and also has been their hottest hitter in the playoffs. Lawrence has eight hits, four doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs over four playoff games. Grable is their top hitter with a .404 batting average to go with four homers and 29 RBIs. Grable (3-7, 5.71) will likely start on Saturday. It will be a tough chore because Laguna Beach likely sends out Aaron Crosby, who is 5-4 with a 2.04 ERA. Laguna Beach beat Grand Terrace, 2-1 in the semifinals.

The pick: Glendora

DIVISION 6

Covina (15-13-1) vs. Brentwood (19-7-1) at Cal State Fullerton, 4 p.m.: The feel good season for the Colts culminates with having an opportunity to win the school's fourth championship, but first since 1988 after defeating Lakewood, 6-1, in the semifinals to advance. The Colts, who also won titles in 1979 and 1981. Covina is headed to the CIF-SS Division 6 championship game after a 6-1 victory over Lakewood. The Colts will be playing for the school's fourth baseball championship, but it's been a while.

Covina last won in 1988. It also won titles in 1979 and 1981. The Colts are as hot as they can be after scoring 32 runs over their last three games, bringing a lot of momentum to the championship. Donovan Johnson is batting .392 and is their best run-producer with 29 RBIs. Ethan Echeverria is batting .438, and there is also the hot bat of Lucas Thorpe, who is 12-for-18 in the playoffs with three home runs and two doubles. Brentwood, however, is the favorite on paper. Brentwood advanced with an 8-0 win over Trinity Classical, has won eight straight, and has put up superior offensive numbers. Seems like the Colts will have to outslug them to have a chance. But remember, when Covina won in 1988, they beat South Hills 8-1, and that Huskies team had Jason Giambi, Aaron Small and was led by legendary coach Jim Bastion.

The pick: Brentwood

DIVISION 7

South El Monte (18-12) vs. North Torrance (15-16), Cal State Fullerton, 10 a.m.: Who could forget the Eagles' heartbreaker in 2024. In the Eagles' first championship game appearance, the Eagles scored three runs in the seventh inning to take a 4-2 lead over Oxford Academy. But Oxford Academy scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh on two walks, two hit batters and a wild throw for a 5-4 walk-off victory to win the Division 7 title. Well, the Eagles are back and hoping their fortunes have changed.

Eagles standout Gabriel Canchola tossed a two-hit shutout with four strikeouts to lead them to a 3-0 victory over Norwalk in the semifinals. He also was 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored twice. The Eagles have relied on great pitching in the playoffs, having allowed just six runs over four games. They haven't allowed more than two runs in any game. Freshman Jesse Zavala, who threw a complete game and only allowed three hits in a 5-2 quarterfinal win over Golden Valley, will likely get the start.

The pick: South El Monte

DIVISION 8

Rancho Alamitos (15-11) vs. Schurr (15-16) at LoanMart Field, 2 p.m.: The Spartans, who finished third in the Almont League behind Montebello and Alhambra, are looking for the school's first baseball title. The Spartans advanced with a come-for-behind 4-2 win over Duarte, and will take on an Rancho Alamitos squad that punched its ticket to the finals with a 3-0 win over Oxford Academy. The Spartans, winners of six straight, are led by junior Joseph Tapia, who is batting .423 with 10 RBIs. Senior Isaiah Trevino is batting .341 with eight doubles and four RBIs. Look for Joey Armano to get the start. In Schurr's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Artesia in 9 innings, Armano started and went six innings, allowing just four hits. Armano (4-0, 2.58) is their ace, giving them a great chance to get it done.

The pick: Schurr

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