Bell wins City Section Open Division baseball title against Birmingham

Get ready for a parade and maybe a few keys to the city.

A group of Bell High junior baseball players made history Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium when they won the school's first City Section Open Division championship with a 4-1 victory over defending champion Birmingham.

Sophomore Jayden Rojas knew the pressure and importance of pitching on his dream pitch, throwing six innings without conceding. His most impressive moment came in the sixth inning when Birmingham loaded the bases after a hit batter, error and bunt single with no outs. Rojas escaped by getting a strikeout on a 3-and-2 pitch and two flyball outs. As he walked off the mound, he was surrounded by excited teammates and fans chanted “MVP, MVP, MVP.”

“They are a good team that fights and doesn't give up,” said Birmingham coach Matt Mowry. “When the pressure mounted, they didn't give in.”

What a pitching duel between Birmingham's Michael Figueroa and Rojas. Figueroa's control and ability to throw strikes gave the Eagles few chances in five innings of a scoreless game.

Their best chance came in the second inning when a relief runner from second base attempted to score on a ground ball off the glove of first baseman Trevor Sostman. Sostman was able to recover, pick up the ball and throw it to catcher Nick Penaranda in time for the out at the plate.

Then, in the sixth, with two outs, Gustavo Ramirez reached first base on an infield single, just ahead of Figueroa's throw. He reached second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by David Gonzalez, who also scored the only run for Bell in the 1-0 semifinal win over Granada Hills. The Eagles scored three more runs in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by Ramirez.

Rojas, meanwhile, showed his poise throughout. Every time he made a third out, keeping his scoreless streak alive, he left the mound with his fist raised. The 15-year-old is a huge Dodgers fan and said earlier this week that it was his dream to pitch at Dodger Stadium.

His execution and effectiveness have already branded him as one of the best pitchers in the City Section. And he had two hits on Saturday. He left the mound in the seventh inning after a leadoff walk to a standing ovation from the Bell fans. Another sophomore, Rigoberto Baltazar, finished off the Patriots.

Gonzalez, a sophomore, delivered two key RBI singles this week.

“I just love it,” he said. “You have to live for it.”

Bell's pitchers allowed just one run in playoff wins over Sylmar, Granada Hills and Birmingham. The Eagles were undaunted all week, running their routine plays and getting an excellent game from Nomar Solis at the catcher position. It was defense and pitching that helped the Eagles defeat the best teams from the San Fernando Valley.

For Bell, that historic season, leaning on a talented group of young players, won't soon be forgotten. Yes, the Eagles had made it to the finals before – winning Division III in 1987 – but they hadn't been to an upper division final since 1953. Those players showed poise, fighting spirit and fearlessness as they competed against more highly touted players and programs, cheered on by coach Frank Medina, who used to coach football and drove his players with fiery and relentless determination to succeed.

The team is loaded with freshmen and sophomores. They are eligible to compete in the state regional championships with a record of 22-6.

“I would like a parade,” Gonzalez said.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.