Yuma Catholic seeks redemption in third straight baseball state championship
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Yuma Catholic baseball is once again on the brink of a state title, advancing to its third consecutive championship game after another dominant postseason run. Awaiting the Shamrocks is a familiar challenge: top-seeded Valley Christian, the same program they have faced in each of the previous two championship matchups.
For head coach Judd Thrower, returning to the title game year after year is a reflection of the consistency and culture built within the program.
“Going three times to the state championship is not easy," he said. "You go back and repeat a performance every year in this kind of situation - [it's] not easy. We graduate people every year. Every year’s team is a little different, so to continue to do this has a good representation of where our program and our school is.”
Valley Christian enters the matchup led by standout pitcher Cameron Bergloff, a Cal State Northridge commit. Thrower praised both the talent and continuity of the Trojans program.
“Cameron Bergloff is a very, very good lefty," the Shamrocks skipper said. "They are just like us. They are a well-balanced team. They have new guys there, but they also have the same coaching staff that is committed to making them a very good team.”
Yuma Catholic will counter with senior pitcher Hiram Silva, who delivered a strong outing against Valley Christian during the regular season. Silva allowed three earned runs on eight hits while striking out eight batters in that contest.
“He’s our guy we go to in these situations, so he’s a big-game guy," Thrower praised. "But we have, like I said, we have everybody available where they get a chance to go out and perform.”
Silva understands the challenge Valley Christian presents and recognizes the quality of the opponent standing in the way of a championship.
“They've always been pretty good; hit the ball pretty well. They have some really good pitchers. Their effort is really good too. They're a good ball team.”
Unlike previous seasons that may have relied on a few key sluggers, Thrower believes this year’s Shamrocks have embraced a more complete team-oriented approach built on execution and defense.
“I think this year it’s more of a team effort up and down the lineup where they understand that bunts, execution and playing quality defense is one of our most important things we can do.”
That all-around style of play appears to be peaking at the perfect moment, according to senior Hiram Silva, as Yuma Catholic enters the championship game with confidence on both sides of the ball.
“We’re feeling like we’re peaking right now," Silva said. "We’re hitting the ball real good. We’re seeing the ball, and we’re doing a great team as a defense and hitting, so feel pretty good about it.”
After a tightly contested regular season meeting between the two teams, Thrower hopes his squad can put itself in position late in the game with a chance to finally capture the title.
“Hopefully we’re there in the last couple of outs and have a chance to make a play.”
The state championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
