Story by Trisha Chakraborty
Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of SPHS Baseball Team
Contributor
The South Pasadena Tigers beat the St. Margaret’s Tartans on Saturday, March 9 in a memorable game at Angel Stadium that brought the Tigers’ record back up to 4-4 for the season.
The Tigers won the opportunity through a lottery hosted by Halo Classic, which grants Southern California high school baseball teams an opportunity to play a regular season game at Angel Stadium. To commemorate the event, the team chose to have an all-senior pitching line up.
“It was just really special being able to bring out an all-senior pitching lineup because we’ve been playing together a long time,” senior Gabe Vogel said. “We haven’t all pitched together in the same game [before].”
Senior Benjamin Regan started the game, allowing one unearned run while picking up a strikeout. Senior Beck Breneck took over in the second inning, surrendering a run, but the game’s momentum shifted as seniors Brandon Woo and Evan Barreau both pitched scoreless innings in succession. Barreau, who picked up two strikeouts, finished his inning with an emphatic leap off the mound in celebration.
G. Vogel kept the energy going by striking out the side in his inning of work, giving up only an unearned run. Senior Charlie Vogel battled through the sixth inning, recording two outs before allowing two runs, with senior Leo Castillo stepping in to get the final out. Senior Jon Bracamonte closed the game, giving up one run but keeping the Tigers’ 8-6 advantage intact to seal the victory.
Offensively, G. Vogel led the way with two hits, while junior Aaron Kawasaki and C. Vogel each contributed two as well. Castillo added a single and junior Isaiah Esquivel delivered a double to round out South Pasadena’s eight hits.
The Tigers did all their scoring in the third and fourth innings, rallying for runs while keeping the Tartans’ offense at bay in the later innings.
“Words can’t even describe it,” G. Vogel said. “It [felt like you] were in the major leagues playing because you had a good enough crowd behind us…just being able to be out there with friends and family was a super special experience.”
The Tigers will take on the Monrovia Wildcats at home on Thursday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m.
