The Corona baseball team clinched the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship with a 5-0 win over Harvard-Westlake. Pivotal in this victory was Ethan Schiefelbein, who pitched a two-hitter and struck out nine batters. Key contributions also came from Sam Burgess, who smashed a three-run homer, and Daniel Rivera, who added an RBI single. This win marks Corona's triumph as the first No. 1 seed to capture this title since 2002.

By the Numbers
  • Corona: 5 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors
  • Harvard-Westlake: 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
  • Attendance: 4,783
Yes, But

This victory disrupts Harvard-Westlake's impressive 10-game winning streak. Despite a strong season, Duncan Marsten struggled on the mound in this crucial game, allowing four earned runs on six hits before being replaced in the fifth inning.

State of Play
  • Schiefelbein finished the season with an 8-0 record, 83 strikeouts in 52 innings, and an ERA of 0.25.
  • Corona carried momentum from being undefeated in the Big VIII League and winning the National High School Invitational.
What's Next

Looking ahead, several key players like Schiefelbein and Burgess, who are committed to UCLA and TCU respectively, will move on to college or potentially the MLB draft. Coach Andy Wise will aim to build on this championship success and nurture the next generation of Corona talent.

Bottom Line

Corona's victory is a testament to their season-long strategic planning and individual performances, establishing them as a top-tier high school baseball team nationally.