TEMECULA — The Rancho Christian baseball team has gotten off to a good start under new head coach Tracey Ybarra. Despite a 2-1 loss to Lakeside yesterday, with their 10-6 win over Nuview Bridge Tuesday, Feb. 21, and a 23-4 win over Sherman Indian earlier this week, the Eagles are 3-2 going into this weekend.
Against the Knights, Rancho Christian’s offense was led by senior Cole Rozenko who went 4 for 4 on the day with 4 RBIs. Rozenko, who recently committed to play at the University of La Verne, also picked up the win on the bump for the Eagles with his three innings of mid-game work. He had three strikeouts, two walks and gave up one earned run.
“Our team is looking very competitive this season, and it has a lot to do with the players buying into what I’m trying to do over here, which includes making a postseason run,” Ybarra said. “We started in winter ball doing extracurricular activities like a three game World Series, a Thanksgiving football game, and the boys hanging out with each other on campus. They go to school sporting events and sit together, and I’m seeing their bond grow tighter as the season progresses. That part is really starting to show up on the field.”
Other contributors from Rancho Christian, against Nuview Bridge, included Kevin Bender (Sr): 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored, Will Ramos (Sr): 2 for 4, Kayson Kobayashi (Fr): 2 for 3, and Gavin Roth (Sr) who had 3 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. Johnny Campuzano went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored to lead Nuview Bridge (1-2) on offense while Toby Olague got the loss on the mound.
Obviously basketball is huge over here, added Ybarra. “I thought, why can’t baseball be that big too? Slowly but surely, people are talking about what’s going on over here,” Ybarra said.
Lakeside leads the standings in the Inland Valley League. The Lancers are 1-0 in league and 4-1 overall after beating Murrieta Mesa (1-2) this past Saturday. Rancho Verde (4-3, 0-1), Vista del Lago (0-1) and Rancho Christian (2-1) round out the remaining teams.
“With seven freshmen on our squad, five of whom are starters, we are an incredibly young team,” Ybarra said. “So, the future looks bright. We have only one rule in this program, ‘do the right thing.’ Everything that encompasses that one rule is what we stand by. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for these players. We’re just getting started.”
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
