Roosevelt ends 60-year drought, captures Division VI championship
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Roosevelt won the Division VI Central Section baseball championship, its first since 1965.
- Roosevelt beat Corcoran 4-3 when a bases-loaded walk scored the seventh-inning winner.
- David Meza and Xamuel Cerrato combined to limit Corcoran to four hits in the championship.
For the first time since 1965, Roosevelt is a Central Section baseball champion.
The Rough Riders completed a dream season Saturday, edging Corcoran 4-3 in the Division VI championship game at Valley Strong Ballpark in Visalia on Saturday.
The winning run came in dramatic fashion when Roosevelt drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh inning, allowing Bryan Ortiz to score the game-winner and later spark a celebration six decades in the making.
According to section historian Bob Barnett, it marks the 10th section title in school history.
Roosevelt’s championship was built on resilience.
After falling behind 3-0 early, the Rough Riders refused to panic.
They answered with two runs in the second inning before tying the game in the third, setting the stage for a tense finish.
David Meza and Xamuel Cerrato anchored the effort on the mound, combining to limit Corcoran to four hits.
Brian Roberson, Manuel Molano and Daniel Martinez each drove in a run as the Rough Riders chipped away at the lead.
The championship caps a remarkable season for Roosevelt, which also captured the North Yosemite League title. The Rough Riders entered the postseason with momentum and finished the job with one of the program’s most significant accomplishments in school history.
The celebration may not be over, either.
Roosevelt’s season will continue in the CIF Regional playoffs, giving the Rough Riders another opportunity to add to an already unforgettable year.
Division I
Bullard’s quest for its first Central Section championship since 2012 will have to wait another year.
The Knights fell into an early hole and never fully recovered in a 6-2 loss to Liberty-Bakersfield in the Division I championship game Saturday at Valley Strong Ballpark.
Liberty seized control with five runs in the second inning, forcing Bullard to play from behind for the remainder of the afternoon.
The Knights eventually got on the board with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but the comeback effort stalled as Liberty maintained command.
Despite the disappointing finish, Bullard’s postseason run was one of the section’s most impressive.
The Knights earned home playoff victories over Clovis North and Redwood, two perennial powers, to reach the championship game.
