Seth Hernandez continues to show why he is considered one of the nation’s top baseball players in the 2025 recruiting class.
Hernandez tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also smacked a three-run homer as Corona pulled away for an 8-0 win over Aquinas in a Boras Classic semifinal game Wednesday afternoon at JSerra High School in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Hernandez and Aquinas starter Nate Christman matched zeroes for the first four innings, but Corona finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Anthony Murphy and Brady Ebel both singled with one out, and then Hernandez homered to left field.
Corona (14-1) added five more runs in the sixth innings. The Panthers loaded the bases with one out. Murphy singled home the first run, and Ebel doubled home two more to extend the lead to 6-0.. Hernandez registered his fourth RBI of the contest on a sacrifice fly, and Josh Springer capped the big inning with an RBI single.
Hernandez did not walk or hit a batter in the game and faced only one batter over the minimum.
Murphy, Ebel and Springer had two hits apiece for Corona. Estaban Olazaba had both hits in the game for Aquinas (10-7).
Corona will square off against Etiwanda in a semifinal game Thursday at 6 p.m. at JSerra High School.
Aquinas will take on Oaks Christian on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.
ETIWANDA CRUISES TO VICTORY
After winning a 1-0 pitchers’ duel Tuesday, Etiwanda cruised to a 13-2 victory over Oaks Christian at JSerra High School.
Leadoff hitter LJ Roellig reached base safely four times (single, three walks) and scored three runs to spark the offense for the Eagles (6-10). Alvaro Moreno Jr., and Blake Torres each had two RBIs, and Chris Montes de Oca also scored three runs.
Moreno tossed a one-hitter Tuesday, and he got Etiwanda on the board Wednesday with a two-out RBI double in the first.
Oaks Christian’s four pitchers combined to walk eight batters, hit two more batters and throw three wild pitches.
Freshman Michael Aleman picked up the win for Etiwanda, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings of work.
FAVELA TOSSES NO-HITTER FOR SAN DIMAS
Jude Favela tossed a no-hitter and struck out five batters as San Dimas defeated Ganesha 7-0 in a consolation game played at Mater Dei High School.
Favela, who is headed to USC, walked three and hit one batter but did not allow Ganesha (9-3) to score.
San Dimas (15-3) grabbed the lead in the second inning, scoring two runs on an error with two outs. The Saints added to the lead when Jayden Medina singled home a run in the fourth inning. Rocco Regan belted a grand slam in the sixth inning.
San Dimas will face Crespi on Thursday at noon at Mater Dei.
Ganesha will take on Rancho Bernardino on Thursday at 9 a.m. at JSerra.
