The Apaches had all the odds against them. The visiting Crescenta Valley Falcons (CV) were at the peak of their season, coming into our field with 23 straight wins including a tight 1-0 victory over our Apaches three days ago. Although Arcadia lost the chance to earn a League title, this game was driven by an even greater impetus—the desire to beat our rival who looked to end League undefeated. But it wasn’t going to happen.

Arcadia and CV pitted their star southpaws against each other—for us, senior John Woo took the mound, and for them, Trevor Beer had the rock. Coming into the game, each of the boys had intense emotions and high hopes for their own performance as well as the team’s performance.

Before the game, Varsity Baseball commemorated the graduating seniors in their last League game and regular season game with Senior Night—a ceremony in which each senior player walks to the baseline with their parents. After pictures and kisses, the Apaches transitioned into the high intensity, loud dugout they are known for, screaming their hearts out from the first pitch of the game to the last pitch of the game.

And what a game it was, especially for the two lefties on the mound. Both starting pitchers carried no hitters into the fourth inning until the pressure Arcadia put on the the Falcons finally gave way. Sophomore Dominick Tello singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, advanced to second on a pass ball, and scored when a slow roller to the second baseman went through his legs. With a 1-0 lead, Varsity Baseball just kept on piling up the runs, forcing the Falcons to make tough plays. Eventually, after three singles and numerous costly errors by CV, the bases were loaded for junior Tyus Santa Anna to deliver the final blow—a two run single, capping a five run fifth inning.

Defensively, John kept the Falcons guessing, commanding his off speed pitches and painting the strike zone. By the final out of the game, John had racked up six strikeouts on his way to a no-hitter. He had indeed come out on top against Beer who through five innings and gave up five earned runs.

After the game, John stated, “It feels great to get this in our last game of the season. It was one helluva game. I think we all did great and everyone was loud and we got our win.”

Following an emotional celebration and a Gatorade bath for John, the Apaches went back to work the next week, in preparation for the wild-card playoff game on Tuesday, May 16 against Palmdale High School. The Apaches struck first with John driving in the first run. Senior Jacob Kampen protected the lead, allowing only three hits to the Knights on the way to a 2-0 victory for the Apaches.
In the first round on May 18 of CIF, Arcadia carried its momentum from a wild card win to Lancaster, where it played Paraclete High School (PHS). John, fresh off of a no hitter, pitched masterfully, shutting out the Spirits 1-0 until the seventh inning until a slow roller allowed PHS to tie the game. Varsity Baseball battled in extra innings until the tenth inning. PHS scored off a walk off single to advance to the next round.

Even with the loss, the Apaches were a model of camaraderie and intensity all season long. The boys battled through obstacle after obstacle and will be remembered not for a first round exit, but for the heart each player displayed on the field and in the dugout.

Congratulations on a great season Varsity Baseball!

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Fann