Chula Vista High School’s baseball team finally has a CIF banner to hang in its gym after the top-seeded Spartans out-dueled second-seeded Classical Academy, 5-3, in last Saturday’s San Diego Section Division IV championship game.
The banner ushers in a new era in the school’s baseball program. It is the first section championship banner to be raised since the formation of the San Diego Section in 1960.
A baseball banner currently hanging in the Spartan gym dates from 1954.
In either case, it’s been a long time in the making.
The Spartans, who dedicated their season to the memory of longtime CVHS baseball coach Bob Kennedy, who died last fall at the age of 94, won all four of their playoff games to take a direct path to the championship.
Last Saturday’s win was the ninth consecutive for Chula Vista, which ended the season with a 25-7 record. In the process, the Spartans ended the Caiman’s 11-game winning streak.
Antonio Garcia (6-1) recorded the win on the mound while hurling 88 pitches in the game played at UC San Diego.
Chula Vista opened an early 3-0 lead before Classical Academy (23-9) tied the score, 3-3, in the top of the fourth inning. The Spartans pushed across what proved to be the winning runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Amador Medina scored on a bloop single by Ricky Yoquigua while Alex Celiceo scored on a wild pitch.
Chula Vista athletic director Craig Wilson called the 2017 edition of the Spartans “a great group of kids.”
“There isn’t one star but a lot of really good players who all contributed,” Wilson said. “The team seemed destined to win the CIF championship with Bobby Kennedy looking over their shoulder the whole season.”
CVHS head coach Jim Westlund said the team’s pitching depth was the best in his 25 years at the helm of the program.
“This year has been a true pleasure,” Westlund explained. “The players set a goal and they fought and worked hard to attain that goal. I believe Bobby Kennedy and other Spartan supporters were looking down on us and with a special eye on seeing us succeed.
“The final was just a great experience because of all the support from our parents and CVHS staff. To win and be able to celebrate with all those people is something I will never forget. This year was truly a season for the history books.”
San Diego Section Baseball Finals
Open Division: (1) Eastlake 8, (7) Helix 3
Division I: (4) Grossmont 8, (2) Francis Parker 3
Division II: (1) San Marcos 6, (2) Santana 4
Division III: (2) Brawley 2, (1) Serra 0
Division IV: (1) Chula Vista 5, (2) Classical Academy 3
Division V: (1) Maranatha Christian 6, (2) Escondido Charter 3
