In the bottom of the sixth inning after a scoreless game, the Ramona Bulldogs scored to win the final game in their three-game series against the Valley Center Jaguars on April 17.
To make things even more exciting, the game was played at Petco Park in San Diego in the John Baumgarten High School Baseball Classic Series.
The only run of the night came in dramatic fashion as shortstop Derek Taylor capitalized on a ed ball to score, giving Ramona the edge in a game dominated by pitching and defense.
“I could not have asked for a better day,” said Taylor, a sophomore. “No better feeling than playing in the biggest game of the year. To be able to play with all my boys on one of the best fields in America, nothing gets better than this.”
Pitcher Justin Jarrett earned the win for the Bulldogs, throwing nine strikeouts, allowing no runs, walking three and giving up one hit. His performance kept Valley Center off the basepaths and gave the team the edge in a tense, low-scoring game.
Jarrett, a junior, also won Player of the Game.
“To be named Player of the Game, it feels amazing since we swept Valley Center and got to play at Petco Park,” he said. “Pitching on a major league mound was awesome because I know how many amazing Hall of Fame Pitchers have pitched on that mound and all the incredible baseball players that have played on the field.”
The night also included a special moment of recognition, as junior Blake Hollopeter received the 2025 John Baumgarten Mr. Baseball Award for sportsmanship, a prestigious honor that highlights leadership, character, and class both on and off the field.
“Receiving the award made me feel good,” Hollopeter said. “I want to be the best teammate and best competitor. I am happy when I am on the field and I want to represent Ramona in the best way possible.”
The win at Petco Park was Ramona’s seventh straight win in the 2025 season. Their record is 11-5.
Over 400 tickets were sold to the game, and Ramona packed the stands in of the team.
“It was a magical day,” said head coach Chris Bertolero. “The team had lunch together before taking a charter bus to the ballpark. The team was taken through the Padre Player’s entrance and down into the dugout. The players were in awe and they were taking pictures of everything. As for me, it was great coaching in a Major League Baseball Park and being on third was memorable. Winning a tight game and celebrating was a dream come true for Ramona Baseball.”
Principal Antoinette Rodriquez threw out the opening pitch at the game and senior Tyler Henshaw represented the high school with an electric guitar rendition of the National Anthem.
The Petco game was something the team will always , said Damon Baldwin, the school’s athletic director.
“It was such a joy watching them play,” Baldwin said. “Thank you to Petco Park and CIF for making this happen for all our programs that got this chance.”
