Citrus Valley, Yucaipa chase Cajon for CBL baseball title

Citrus Valley pulled back to within one game of Citrus Belt League baseball leader Cajon with a 10-5 victory at home over the Cowboys on Tuesday, enabling the Blackhawks to stay tied with Yucaipa pending the outcome of Thursday’s final league contests.

While Cajon hosts Citrus Valley with its sole possession of first place on the line, Yucaipa looks for a sweep of Redlands High to finish at 11-4, and Redlands East Valley hopes to win its regular-season finale at home against Beaumont.

The standings through Tuesday (April 28) — Cajon 11-3 (18-9), Citrus Valley 10-4 (12-13), Yucaipa 10-4 (16-10), Redlands East Valley 4-10 (11-15), Beaumont 4-10 (12-14), Redlands 3-11 (12-14).

The CIF Southern Section playoff brackets will be announced Saturday, May 9. First-round play begins May 13 for Division 1; May 14 for Divisions 2, 4, 6 and 8; and May 15 for Divisions 3, 5, 7 and 9.

April 27 games

Cajon 2, Citrus Valley 1 — The Cowboys won their sixth CBL game in a row as Riley Nguyen pitched five innings of one-hit ball, allowing one run. Gavin Garcia and Hugo Sanchez pitched two innings of hitless relief as Nguyen improved to 6-2 with a 2.66 ERA.

Nathan Reyes scored the Blackhawks’ only run when he walked, stole second and came around to score for a 1-0 lead. Steve Rubio and Donovan Lichti delivered key RBIs for Cajon. Aaron Hinds was a tough-luck losing pitcher for CVHS, allowing five hits, one earned run and no walks on 81 pitches. Tristan Garcia-Rojas had the only hit for Citrus Valley.

Yucaipa 9, Redlands 1 — After sweeping Beaumont the previous week, the Thunderbirds won their seventh straight CBL game after spotting the Terriers a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Yucaipa scored five times in the third and added three more in the sixth.

Starter Xavier Romero allowed three hits and one unearned run with four strikeouts on 72 pitches. Logan Altenhof and Landon Von Kaenel pitched two innings of hitless relief. Andrew Vasquez, Brodie Nieto and Eyan Eldevik collected Redlands’ three hits, with Eldevik driving in the lone run. It was Redlands’ seventh straight CBL loss.

Redlands East Valley 6, Beaumont 3 — The Wildcats ended a five-game losing streak. Caleb Jamroz pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three runs (one unearned) with seven strikeouts on 102 pitches. Freshman Caleb Davis earned the save.

Brayden Juarez went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Ethan Snellings was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Nick Story, Brayden Dismang and Gio Palos each drove in a run. Beaumont has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

April 28 games

Citrus Valley 10, Cajon 5 — The Blackhawks’ win set up a decisive regular-season finale Thursday (April 30). Cajon holds a one-game lead over Citrus Valley and Yucaipa. A Cajon win secures the outright title; a loss could result in a three-way tie.

Citrus Valley led 2-0 in the fourth, then scored seven runs in the fifth against Cajon starter Elon Hickman. The Cowboys rallied for four runs in the seventh but fell short.

Jack Clark pitched five scoreless innings as CVHS built a 9-0 lead and finished one out shy of a complete game, allowing five runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts on 106 pitches. Nolan Tornborg recorded the final out.

Joey Leuvano homered, drove in three runs and scored twice. Nathan Reyes was 2-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBIs. Jacob Caldera’s hit drove in two runs. Payton O’Loughlin went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Nathan Stamper also drove in a run. Both teams played errorless defense.

Yucaipa 8, Redlands 2 — The Terriers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning but were held in check the rest of the game. Logan Pashman allowed four hits over six innings with seven strikeouts and one walk. Zach Scribner struck out the side in the seventh.

Xavier Romero homered and doubled, scoring twice and driving in a run. Landon Von Kaenel was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Jason Franco drove in two runs, while Scribner, Jimmie Cole and Damian Cordero each added RBIs.

Diego Uribe and Donovan Hayhurst accounted for Redlands’ runs. Jayden Rose went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored. Mario Sotomayor took the loss, allowing six runs in two innings.

Beaumont 5, Redlands East Valley 0 — Lucas Lugo pitched a complete game for Beaumont, allowing six hits with three strikeouts and two walks on 75 pitches.

Josue Donato went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Ronnie Collins, Alijah Jaramillo and Trevor Strothers each drove in a run, while Santos North scored twice.

Ethan Snellings pitched six innings for REV, allowing six hits on 95 pitches. Three of the five runs against him were earned.