GAME OF THE DECADE: Bonita v. Bishop Amat, Monday, April 25

Talk about a showdown! If you’re going to catch one high school baseball game this season, set aside Monday, April 25, as the Bonita Bearcats (16-3), ranked No. 2 in the San Gabriel Valley, battle the No. 1 Tribune-ranked Bishop Amat Lancers (19-2) at Mt. San Antonio College’s Manzanian Field at 7 p.m.

This week Bonita defeated Diamond Ranch while Bishop Amat knocked off St. Francis of Mountain View, ranked No. 1 by Baseball America on Tuesday, and defeated San Diego Section power El Capitan of Lakeside on Wednesday.

Through Wednesday, Bonita boasts a team ERA of 1.66 led by Justin Garza (0.40) and Brandon Murfett (0.78.). Meanwhile, Arizona State-bound ace Adam McCreery pitched a couple of pain-free, scoreless innings last weekend against Cabrillo and will be looking to stretch out.

Bonita’s bats have also come alive with the team’s cumulative batting average climbing to .319. While not the Bonita bombers of old (only six home runs total), the Bearcats still bring plenty of pop, led by Justin Garza (.432), Matt Gelalich (.400), Nolan Henley (.400), KC Huth (.368), Mark Lindsay (.340), Robert Mier (.320) and Thomas Castro (.316). Gelalich is the team’s hits leader with 22 safeties and Huth is the team’s top RBI man with 20.

Rio Ruiz

Bishop Amat sports a .329 team batting average through Wednesday, led by left fielder Adam Alcantara (.547) and third baseman Rio Ruiz (.492). Each player has 29 hits.

On the hill, the Lancers have been even more impressive, sporting a collective team ERA of 1.11. The Lancers big three are Jordan McCraney (0.62), David Berg (0.65) and Daniel Zamora (1.05).

There is a $5 admission charge to the game, which honors the memory of RJ Gonzales, an inspirational young player who now plays on heaven’s sandlot. Money raised is donated to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

See you at the ballgame!