First published in the June 16 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
It was a tough way to open the CIF Southern California Regional playoffs as the visiting No. 8 Maranatha High School varsity baseball team squared off against the 2022 CIF-SS Division II champion and top-seeded Etiwanda.
The Minutemen returned to action after a two-week break between the CIF-SS playoffs and the regional playoff opener. Maranatha took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning but powerhouse Etiwanda responded with a four-run second inning to take the lead for good. Etiwanda added a pair of runs in the fourth to end Maranatha’s terrific season with a 6-1 finish.
Junior Dylan Zdunek collected Maranatha’s lone base while adding an RBI. Senior Angelo Aleman walked once, stole a base and scored a run, junior Cider Canon worked a pair of walks, and senior Mikey Ebner, senior Will Allen and junior Bryan Richman each walked once. Junior Garrett McGuigan worked around a hit and registered a strikeout in his lone inning on the mound.
The Minutemen (24-8 overall record) concluded the season with its first state playoff appearance while adding their fifth consecutive Olympic League title.
