High school baseball game erupts in near-brawl after last-minute championship win
A dramatic high school baseball game between La Salle and Bishop Amat nearly turned violent after the final play. The match, which decided the Del Rey League championship, saw Bishop Amat stage two major comebacks before securing a last-minute win. Tensions flared when the winning team rushed the field, sparking a confrontation that required intervention from coaches and players.
Bishop Amat entered the game facing a tough challenge. They trailed 5-0 early on but fought back to tie the score. Later, they overcame an 8-5 deficit to force extra innings. The game ended in the bottom of the ninth when a Bishop Amat batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, sealing a walk-off victory and the league title.
As the winning run scored, the Bishop Amat batter sprinted toward left field, followed by his teammates. There, a Bishop Amat player deliberately bumped into La Salle’s left fielder. The collision triggered a heated argument, with more Bishop Amat players joining in. La Salle teammates quickly stepped in, leading to pushing and shoving between both sides. Coaches and other players rushed to break up the near-brawl before any punches were thrown. After the game, La Salle coach Andy Nieto condemned Bishop Amat’s actions, stating, *‘You don’t rush my left fielder. That’s not OK.’* The confrontation overshadowed what had been a thrilling comeback win for Bishop Amat.
The incident left tensions high between the two schools. Bishop Amat claimed the Del Rey League championship after their dramatic victory, but the postgame clash drew criticism. La Salle’s coach made it clear that such behaviour would not be tolerated in future matches.
