Cerritos' quest for a sixth consecutive league baseball title delayed as they encounter defeat at the hands of their long-standing league rival
In a thrilling 605 League match on May 1, 2025, Oxford Academy rallied to defeat Cerritos High, ending the latter's five-year league title run. The game saw a series of tense moments, with both teams displaying impressive resilience and skill.
Cerritos High started the game strongly, with Braxton Reed, a senior center fielder, hitting a home run in the first inning to give them a 1-0 lead. However, Adrian Regis, a senior shortstop for Cerritos High, led off the second inning with a base hit and scored a run, extending their lead to 3-0.
Frank Melendrez, a junior pitcher for Cerritos High, kept the Patriots off the board in the beginning of the game. However, in the fourth inning, Jacob Hoosac, a junior pitcher for Oxford Academy, was brought in to replace another pitcher. Hoosac retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced, striking out five, significantly turning the tide of the game.
Logan Lavoie and Bear Spessert were key players for Oxford Academy, with Spessert going three for four, driving in three runs, and scoring once. Lavoie worked out of danger in the final four-plus innings to secure the win for Oxford Academy.
Despite Cerritos High's strong start, they were unable to capitalise on their opportunities, as they stranded 10 runners on base during the game. Oxford Academy improved to 7-1-1 in league play, while Cerritos High fell to 14-12, 7-2 after the loss.
This defeat marks the second time in three years that Oxford Academy has handed Cerritos High their league setbacks, having won the first game of the home and home series against Cerritos High in 2023, 6-4, on the road. Cerritos High will have a chance to avenge this loss when the two teams face each other again on Friday to determine the league championship.
The 605 League has only seen two teams, Oxford Academy (in 2023) and John Glenn High (in 2025), hand Cerritos High their league setbacks in the past few years. John Glenn High finished fourth in the 605 League last season, falling a game short of an automatic playoff berth.
With the brackets for the CIF-Southern Section divisional playoffs set to be released on May 12, both Cerritos High and Oxford Academy will be looking to build on their league performances and secure a spot in the playoffs. Cerritos High has a scheduled game at Sunny Hills High on Tuesday before the playoffs begin on May 15.
[1] Whitney High School's Girls Basketball Dominates 605 League (Source: La Habra High School's Newsletter, 2022) [2] Oxford Academy's Girls Tennis Team Shines in Local Competitions (Source: Oxford Academy's Newsletter, 2023) [3] New 20-School Conference to Shake Up Southern California School Athletics (Source: Los Angeles Times, 2023)
In the 605 League, the baseball match between Oxford Academy and Cerritos High on May 1, 2025, was a significant event that showcased local sports. Oxford Academy turned the game around against Cerritos High, ending their five-year league title run, and this victory was a piece of community news. The key contributors from Oxford Academy were Logan Lavoie and Bear Spessert, who played instrumental roles in securing the win. Meanwhile, in the realm of professional sports, MLB is set to release the playoff brackets on May 12, and both Cerritos High and Oxford Academy will be aiming to make it to the playoffs, building on their league performances.
