Colton celebrates new stadium with victory over Bloomington, 6-3
Timely hitting in the sixth inning secures the victory over the crosstown rivals
Robert Valenzuela gets a pinch hit RBI single to left field that secured the Yellowjacket victory over the Bloomington Bruins, 6-3.
Colton, CA—March 10 was a banner day for the Colton High School baseball program.
The day began with the long overdue ribbon cutting for the CHS baseball stadium and the awarding of San Andreas League championship patches. It ended with a 6-3 victory over the crosstown rival Bloomington Bruins.
In front of the packed home crowd, a group of dignitaries including Colton High principal John Abbott, district superintendent Dr. Frank Miranda, CJUSD school board president Bertha Flores, and board member Frank Ibarra, celebrated the official opening of the baseball stadium, which opened last season in 2020.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crowds could not gather in mass, so the official ribbon cutting was postponed.
“This is a big landmark for our school district and our school here,” said board member Ibarra.
Last year’s Yellowjackets were also presented with letterman’s jacket patches for their San Andreas League title. Players from this year’s team, in addition to graduated players from last year’s team, were on hand to receive the patches.
After the festivities, the Yellowjackets took to the diamond and played one of their most challenging games of the season.
In the first inning, Colton came out strong, scoring four runs and looking absolutely dominant. Starting pitcher Julian Rocha quickly shut down the Bruins, and Juan Valdivia hit a two-run double that made it seem as though Colton was picking up where they left off after Tuesday’s 15-4 blowout of Rim of the World.
Then Bloomington settled down, and their defense shut down the Yellowjackets for the next four innings. Meanwhile, a run in the second inning by junior Robert Barrera on an RBI single by senior Isaac Chavez, and a two-run homer in the third by sophomore Dylan Buzard put the Bruins within striking distance.
In the sixth inning, the Yellowjackets found their offense again. A dropped pop fly and a walk put Anthony Aguayo and Valdivia on base, then Isaac Bustillos hit a sacrifice fly deep into centerfield that scored Aguayo.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice for your family, your team,” Bustillos said.
Still needing more insurance, manager Scott Mendoza switched out starter Raymond Ramirez for utility player Robert Valenzuela. Seeing his first action of the season, Valenzuela knocked an RBI single into left field, scoring Sergio Lomeli, pinch running for Valdivia.
“It felt great,” Valenzuela said, happy his coaches called his number. “It was great, knowing that they know I can hit and be clutch at the plate.”
Valdivia took over on the mound in the seventh inning and finished off the Bruins for the save.
This was a tight victory, one that showed grit and determination from the Yellowjacket squad. Manager Mendoza was proud of his boys. “They battled today and showed the team that they can be.”
The victory puts Colton at 5-3 on the season and 1-0 in league play. On Saturday they travel to Aquinas High School for a double header.
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
Jeremiah Dollins is in his third year as adviser for the award-winning Pepper Bough, Colton High School’s official source of news and entertainment....