Saint John Bosco clinches Division I regional baseball championship through a blanking game.
A back-up pitcher and infielder for St. John Bosco's baseball squad, 6'0" tall Jack Champlin had quite the 17th birthday treat in store. Making the final calls at the mound, he wrapped up a tantalizing 4-0 victory against San Diego Patrick Henry in the Southern California Regional Division I championship game.
With only 27 pitches, he retired all seven batters he faced. Fans and family might have expected a more extravagant celebration, but Champlin opted for a cozy dinner with his loved ones and girlfriend.
Champlin shone brightly during the playoffs, contributing to St. John Bosco's triumphant run. He secured two victories and five saves, never allowing a single run in 11 2/3 innings. He exuded an unwavering confidence, asserting that he doesn't feel pressure as a closer since his belief in his abilities was unshakable.
An unexpected opportunity came as the starter, Brayden Krakowski, pitched earlier in the week and had only 14 outs remaining. Krakowski allowed three hits and got all the assistance he needed in the first inning to set the stage for Champlin's star performance.
When the season took its final turn, Champlin fielded a grounder back to the mound and underhanded a toss to first base, putting an end to what turned out to be their last game of the 2024-25 season.
As Patrick Henry had defeated Granite Hills in the San Diego Section Open Division final and mounted back-to-back successes over renowned Southern Section teams Santa Margarita and Crespi, the odds of upsetting St. John Bosco - ranked the No.1 team in California - seemed promising. However, the flashy Braves notched their 19th consecutive win, 30th out of 34 games, culminating in a historic campaign that included championships in three tournaments - the Trinity League, the Southern Section Division 1, and the regional Division I.
Champlin took the spotlight at the height of the celebration, reflecting on the team's remarkable achievements. In the very same field where he and his teammates had triumphed against Bakersfield Christian to claim the Division III regional championship the previous year, Champlin's shout of triumph echoed.
Two months had passed since their last loss on April 8 against Santa Margarita, and Coach Andy Rojo showed immense pride. The feat of winning three titles within a single year would require a significant effort from any following team, as Rojo noted. Despite losing 12 of his players to graduation, including pitcher Anthony Cosme, sliding sensation Julian Villasenor, and first baseman Zach Woodson, Rojo had navigated the team to the pinnacle of success, a testament to his leadership and the team's tenacity.
Elsewhere, Bakersfield Ridgeview triumphed over Wilmington Banning 1-0 in the Division IV final, as Adrian Bravo hit an RBI double. Meanwhile, Pioneer defeated Corcoran 4-0 to win the Division V title. In softball, Chula Vista Mater Dei secured the Division I championship with a 12-3 victory over El Modena, propelled by Analesse Garcia's powerful three-run double and home run. Point Loma clinched the Division III title by defeating Legacy 4-1, with the help of Siena Balistreri's crucial two-run double.
Jack Champlin, hailing from California, demonstrated his prowess in sports once again, this time on the baseball field. In a nail-biting Southern California Regional Division I championship game, he secured a historic 4-0 victory against San Diego Patrick Henry, showcasing his talent for sports, particularly baseball.
