Bonita Goes Wire to Wire to Win League Title, Now Takes Aim at Dodger Stadium

Winning pitcher Alec Garcia with his family on Senior Day

Bonita defeated Rowland 16-2 on Thursday, running away with the Hacienda League title the way Secretariat obliterated the Triple Crown in 1973.

This was a walkover, with Bonita showcasing all of its talents on Senior Day and signaling to its upcoming playoff rivals that, at 26-2 and ranked No. 1, it will be the horse to beat in the post-season.

On Thursday, Bonita broke alertly with two runs in the first inning and never looked back in this contest. Justin Row led off with single and was promptly doubled home by Justin Garza. After Thomas Castro flied out to deep center, cleanup hitter Tyler Heslop singled home Garza.

Nolan Henley got a big hug from his dad on Senior Day.

Meanwhile, Alec Garcia dominated on the mound, surrendering just two hits.

Altogether, Bonita banged out 13 hits, including a two-run double by Woody Reyes and a two-run single by Connor Renard in the eight-run fourth inning and a two-run home run by Sam Stavang in the fifth inning.

Other hitting stars for Bonita included Row who was two-for-two with a walk in his three plate appearances and Anthony Gonzalez who also had a pair of singles and a walk in his three trips to the plate.

Although the win was a laugher and capped an undefeated sprint to the league championship, Bonita will need five more consecutive victories to win the divisional title, which has eluded the Bearcats who have entered the post-season with several other equally talented teams.

But the 2012 version appears to be extra special, headlined by a talented pitching staff of Garza (0.65), a senior, and juniors Parker Merritt (1.31) (1.79) and Stavang.

Offensively, Bonita is led by Castro (.488), Heslop (.448), Garza (.383), Tanner Diebold (.387), Row (.367), Anthony Gonzalez (.338), Row (.367), Renard (.333) Jacob Blunt (.313) and Reyes (.300). Collectively, Bonita finished the season batting .340.

All those numbers, impressive as they are, will be wiped clean next Friday when Bonita hosts its first playoff opponent.

It’s a whole new season, but nobody looks more prepared for the challenge than the Bearcats. They have the look of a champion.

The final game of the playoffs is set for Dodger Stadium on June 1, 2012.

The Garza family shares the love with son Justin.Anthony Gonzalez is warmly embraced by his proud parents.Winning pitcher draws an appreciative crowd wherever he goes.Woody Reyes finished the season strong for the Bearcats.

Tyler Heslop was one of the big reasons Bonita completed a remarkable 26-2 regular season.

 

Mitch Johnson will go down in the books as pitcher who recorded the last out at bat for Bonita, flying out to center field, and getting the last out for Bonita, on the mound. Architecture? Maybe he can talk to coach Knott about building and designing a great team.

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