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Story and photos by Liz Alper
Cover photo: Monte Vista senior Ivan Plazola struck out 12 batters, but couldn't secure the lead as the Monarchs fell short.
May 22, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Monte Vista baseball has made it to the CIF Division IV playoffs. Today in round one, they faced Kearny, the winners of a play-in on Monday against Calipatria. The Komets are a near-perfect 11-1 in the Central League and a 17-12 overall record. The Monarchs just barely eeked into the playoffs with a 9-6 record in the Grossmont League and an 18-11 overall record. Senior Cade Logan took the hill for the Komets against senior Ivan Plazola for Monte Vista.
The Monarchs started early. In the first, back-to-back RBI doubles by Plazola and junior Jon Gulley gave the Monarchs a 2-0 lead.
Plazola was cruising along, even striking out the side in the third and fourth innings, but the good times for Monte Vista came to a screeching halt in the fifth. Sophomore Abraham Sanchez failed to catch a bad throw on a routine play to first and two runs came home for Kearny, tying the game. Junior Devin Fragoso put the Komets in front 3-2 with a blast of an RBI single to left. Despite Plazola’s incredible 12-strikeout day, the Monarchs’ season ends as the Komets come from behind with a 3-2 win to advance to round two.
