Borrego Springs wins first CIF title in coach's final game

A fixture on the desert baseball scene for more than a decade, Borrego Springs High School baseball coach Andrew Macuga is calling it quits.

Thursday afternoon at San Diego State’s Tony Gwynn Stadium, his Rams sent Macuga out in style, beating Calvin Christian 7-1 to claim the CIF San Diego Section Division 5-AA championship.

The win marks the first CIF championship in any sport in school history. It also marks the end of Borrego Springs' season: unlike other division champions, the 5-AA winner does not advance to Southern California Regionals

“This is special, so special,” said Rams pitcher Chris Alcaraz, who struck out 11, had a pair of triples and drove in two runs.

“I’ve been on the varsity all four years. We came close last season (losing 10-7 to Rock Academy). So to get it done my senior season, get it done for my teammates, get it done for Coach Macuga, is amazing.

“All the hard work paid off. It’s a great way to end my high school career.”

Alcaraz, who plans to attend Palomar College next season and work as a middle infielder, finishes the season 7-3 with 74 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. He ends his senior season with 48 RBIs and a .598 batting average

“He’s amazing,” said Macuga. “He’s a four-time Manzanita League Player of the Year and a two-time Pitcher of the Year.

“Plus, he’s a very impressive young man, our leader. For me, it’s great to go out a winner. And the team is in good shape. They have a ton of good players coming back. And two kids who were all-league as sophomores a year ago didn’t play this season because of injuries. They’ll be back.”

Andres Macuga, the coach’s son, delivered the knockout blow for the Rams, a two-RBI single in a four-run fifth inning.

"Hits are great, but RBIs are better,” Andres Macuga said.

“I love this team. Playing with these guys was such a geat experience. It means so much to get it done for my teammates, my loved ones and especially my father."

Joey Rocha scored three times and made two nice plays at shortstop. And Brady Perry drove in two.

Micah Briones scored the only run for Calvin Christian, scoring on Tyler Hoff’s first-inning double. Hoff struck out 11 batters, giving him 76 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings.

Calvin Christian finishes the season 17-8.

Borrego Springs finishes 18-4, a school record for wins in a season. The baseball team lost in the title game last season as well as 1980, 1982, 1988 and 1992.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 7:05 PM.