Get ready for a parade and maybe a key to the city.
Bell High School’s teenage baseball players made history Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, defeating defending champion Birmingham, 4-1, to win the school’s first City Section Open Division championship.
Sophomore Jayden Rojas embraced the pressure and importance of pitching on the field of dreams, pitching six scoreless innings. His most memorable moment came in the sixth inning when Birmingham loaded the bases with no outs after a hit-by-pitch, error and single bunt. Rojas got out of the game with two strikeouts and two fly balls on three outs. As he walked off the mound, he was surrounded by excited teammates and fans chanting “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
“They’re a good team that fights and never gives in,” Birmingham coach Matt Mowry said. “When the pressure was on one, they didn’t give in.”
The matchup between Birmingham’s Michael Figueroa and Rojas was a spectacular pitching duel, with Figueroa’s control and ability to throw strikes giving the Eagles very little chance in five scoreless innings.
Their best chance came in the top of the second inning, when a pinch runner tried to score from second base on a grounder that hit first baseman Trevor Sostman’s glove. Sostman recovered, picked up the ball and threw to catcher Nick Penaranda for the out at home plate.
Then in the sixth inning, with two outs, Gustavo Ramirez reached base on an infield single just above Figueroa’s throw. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by David Gonzalez. Gonzalez also scored Bell’s only run in a 1-0 semifinal win over Granada Hills. The Eagles added three more runs in the seventh on a walk with the bases loaded and a two-run single by Ramirez.
Rojas’ poise was on full display throughout the game. He pumped his fist as he left the mound after each three out to preserve his shutout streak. The 15-year-old is a huge Dodgers fan and said earlier this week that it’s his dream to pitch at Dodger Stadium.
His delivery and effectiveness have already established him as one of the best pitchers in the City District, and he allowed two hits on Saturday. He walked the leadoff batter in the seventh inning and received a standing ovation from Belfant. Another sophomore, Rigoberto Baltazar, closed out the Patriots.
Gonzalez, a sophomore, had two RBI singles in game-winning situations this week.
“I just love it,” he said. “I have to live for it.”
Bell’s pitching staff held their opponents to just one run in playoff wins over Sylmar, Granada Hills and Birmingham. The Eagles refused to be intimidated all week and played their usual game, drawing great play from catcher Nomar Solis. It was their defense and pitching that helped the Eagles beat some of the best teams in the San Fernando Valley.
For Bell, it was a historic season that relied on the talent of a talented underclassman that won’t soon be forgotten. Sure, the Eagles had been to the finals before — winning the Division III championship in 1987 — but they hadn’t reached the senior division final since 1953. These players, encouraged by former football coach Frank Medina, who passionately and staunchly pushed his players to succeed, showed poise, grit and fearlessness in taking on more highly regarded players and programs.
The team features a number of freshmen and sophomores and will enter the state tournament with a 22-6 record.
“We would love to have a parade,” Gonzalez said.
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This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
