Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Bonita’s AJ Moreno and Trevor Caton played instrumental roles in the success of both Steve Bogan’s football program and Ryan Marcos’ baseball team.

Moreno and Caton also did well in the classroom, are regarded as very solid young men and they are best friends.

The Bearcats’ duo played football and baseball together as freshman and then focused solely on baseball over the next two years.

But as their senior year approached in the fall of 2019, the longtime buddies had a serious conversation about rejoining the football program.

They wanted to make sure that a year or decade from now they didn’t regret not playing football, so they busted their butts in the weight room together and certainly made their mark in an 8-3 season for the Bearcats.

Bonita’s only three losses came to a CIF-SS Division 9 champion (Highland) a D-5 semifinalist (Glendora) and a team that won its first 11 games (Ayala).

Over those 11 games, Moreno had 17 catches for 285 yards and scored one TD.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bearcats free safety (Moreno) tallied 28 tackles and picked off a pass.

Caton carried the ball 44 times for 146 yards and scored twice.

At linebacker, he collected 22 tackles.

But what he’ll be remembered by his coaches and teammates for was a windy night in a must-win scenario at Colony.

Caton had to carry the load for an injured Elijah Maldonado, and the Bearcats trailed 8-0 through one quarter of play.

Caton, though, would rush for over 100 yards and scored twice in a 21-8 victory over the Titans.

Because of the 50-plus mph winds, quarterback Sean Jastrab wouldn’t be able to throw the ball accurately and had they not rebounded from that early deficit on the road, it would have been very likely the season would have lacked a postseason appearance.

Fast forward a few months, and it was time for Moreno, Caton and the rest of the Bearcats baseball program to defend their Palomares League championship.

Bonita opened the 2019 Palomares League chase 1-1, beating Colony, 7-1, and then lost a 7-6 decision at Ayala in eight innings.

The loss dropped the Bearcats to 3-4 through the first seven games.

But Marcos and his boys would win 19 of their next 21 games, including 13 consecutive in Palomares League play.

Bonita dropped its CIF-SS Division 2 playoff opener to King, but that couldn’t take away from their first league title since 2014.

Moreno batted .393, with 32 hits, 19 runs and drove in 24.

He collected four doubles, two triples & three home runs

On the mound, Moreno went 2-0, with an 0.94 ERA.

He walked six batters and struck out 17.

Caton did his share as well.

He batted .276, with 16 hits, scored seven runs and drove in six.

Caton doubled four times and tripled.

That gets us to February of 2020.

Bonita began the season 6-0, before being shut out by San Dimas on March 3.

Two days later, though, all was right in the world for the Bearcats.

Sophomore right hander Luke Mistone went the distance, allowing just an unearned run and struck out four to beat undefeated Glendora, 4-1, in the Palomares League opener.

It would be the only loss GHS (9-1, 0-1) would suffer in 2020, and it also meant Bonita, Ayala (9-0, 1-0) and Alta Loma (4-2, 1-0) stood atop the league standings.

But the Bearcats would play just one more game, a 2-1 loss to visiting Charter Oak in a 10 a.m. game on Saturday.

Bonita went 7-2 overall and 1-0 in league before the Coronavirus broke the collective heart of the world and brought life as we knew it to a screeching halt.

What made this even more frustrating was the chemistry and potential this 2020 team had to not only put up a defense of its league championship, they also liked their chances of making a solid run in the CIF-SS playoffs.

The Bearcats team ERA dropped from 2.62 in 2019 to 0.75 this season.

Caton improved his batting average 117 points to .393 in those nine games, collecting 11 hits, scoring six runs, driving in five and pounding out three doubles.

Moreno’s average dropped some to .300, but he contributed in so many ways, both that one could see on a stat sheet as well as his time on the mound and the leadership qualities he possesses.

He finished with six hits, three runs, five RBIs, two doubles & one home run

On the mound, Moreno was 2-1, with a 1.87 ERA.

He walked four and struck out 11.

Both Caton and Moreno are not only respectful, team-first, family guys, they also did well in the classroom.

Caton will finish his senior year at 4.0 and Moreno was around the 3.4 mark, but he intends to be a lot more diligent in the classroom in college.

We asked Ryan Marcos to give us his take on Moreno and Caton’s role for his program.

Said Marcos: “A.J.’s a utility player, who can play any position well. He’s been blessed with some natural athleticism, but his relentless work ethic and willingness to learn advances his abilities. He plays a smooth infield, particularly third base, where his quick reactions and solid mechanics suit him well. A.J.’s plus arm also carries over to the mound, where his effortless and fluid delivery prove very efficient. He has a great feel for all pitches and reads hitters well. As a hitter, A.J. always earned a spot in the top to the middle of the lineup. Leading by example has allowed A.J. to be loved and respected by the entire program.”

A.J. was on our radar as a freshman and sophomore and we knew he’d be an impact guy in the program. He always asked the coaches how he could improve his game and worked harder than most guys in the weight room. From day one of his junior year in 2019, he came out with a different intensity. He wanted it. Our team was very talented in 2019 and he knew it wouldn’t be easy. Watching him take batting practice, ground balls, and lift in the weight room was awesome. Every single day he was proving to people why he should be in the lineup. By the time opening day came around, we had him starting at third base and batting fifth or sixth. That year, he earned All-Palomares League honors.”

Regarding Caton, Marcos said the following: “When I first saw Trevor hit in batting practice as a sophomore, I remember thinking, “this kid can hit!” He was hitting missiles all over the yard and his swing always remained the same. And then he took ground balls at third with great actions and instincts. He’s always possessed a positive mindset, which is so very important in the game of baseball. His mentality takes his physical and mental abilities to the next level. He’s one of the most steady and consistent players I’ve seen.

Trevor developed over time to be an outstanding baseball player, and we depended upon his performance many times. We often found ourselves in a big pressure spot with Trevor coming up clutch, like his walk-off league-clinching RBI double versus Alta Loma in 2019 with two outs and two strikes. We’ve always trusted him to be in the pressure spot with the game on the line, because it seems like it doesn’t bother him or no moment is too big for him. Trevor can flash the leather too. His uniform was always dirty, because he’d dive for groundballs/flyballs and throw a frozen rope to get an out with his plus arm. He’s athletic enough to play anywhere and he’s made plays at just about every position on the baseball field. Everyday, Trevor shows up to the field with a smile on his face and great positive energy. His charismatic ability to win others over pairs well with his passion for the game. Teammates and coaches look forward to interacting with him and talking about life or asking him where the fish are biting.”

AJ Moreno will attend and compete for Cal Poly Pomona when the baseball season comes around in 2021.

AJ’s parents, Tiffany and Aaron Moreno, are his foundation and the reason he cares about all the right things and has his priorities in order, including being a better student and person than anything he does on a baseball or football field.

His sister Riley played softball and graduated from Bonita in 2018 and he appreciates very much his grandparents Lietha Salazar, Joe Moreno and Claudina Moreno being at his games and cheering him on in whatever sport it is that he’s playing.

Moreno still gets up in the morning, despite the quarantine and tries to lead a productive day, including working out, taking swings and then his vices are Netflix and playing MLB The Show video game.

Caton describes his best friend as “a great guy, who will listen and give his honest input, while being supportive at the same time. We have been playing together and been friends since the sixth grade and I couldn’t ask for a better friend. He’s all about doing the right things in life. I appreciate how he’s always been there for me.”

Trevor Caton also has great role models for parents, named Thomas and Angela, who play a huge role in his life.

In fact, his dad wasn’t really a big sports guy (player or fan) but took an interest in Trevor’s endeavors and the next thing Trevor knew, his unathletic dad was out there at parks playing catch with his young son and helping him get better, and it meant and means the world to him.

“My mom had always been my biggest fan, and loves going to my games,” he said. “If I get a hit or make a nice play, anyone at the game will hear her, because she’s very vocal. Whether I have a great game or play lousy, they find something positive to say.”

Trevor’s grandparents, Tom and Rose Caton, and Marta and Ron Sigurdson, are his most loyal supporters.

And his buddy loves him too.

“What I appreciate most about Trevor is that he’s always honest, even when I’m doing something wrong,” Moreno said. “But he’s also supportive at the same time. We also push each other in the weight room and everywhere else to be the best versions of ourselves.”

Caton too has turned to Netflix during the quarantine and like 99-percent it seems, he’s watched the meth heads on display in the ‘Tiger King,’ as well as ‘Bates Motel.’

He’s spending time with his girlfriend and his refuge is to fish, which helps his clear his head during these unprecedented times.

Caton will play JC ball next year, and he’s leaning towards Mt. San Antonio College.

Marcos believes both of his 2020 seniors will contribute at the next level and add character to their respective locker rooms.

On their end, both Moreno and Caton emphasized what a great coach and an even better person that Marcos has been, and in some ways, he serves as a second father figure to many on the Bonita team.

Perhaps Caton said it best, “Our practices are both serious and structured and yet we are able to have fun at the same time.”

The Bonita duo also agree that many people take Bonita athletics lightly and love proving their doubters wrong, which includes winning 80-percent of their baseball and football games.

Perhaps for this 50-year old writer, the most impressive thing in interviewing both student-athletes, who saw their senior baseball season ripped from them after just nine games was that Caton and Moreno both stated that while being devastated, the health and lives of our countrymen and the world trumps anything that happens in sports, and there is no pun intended.

Caton and Moreno both hope they’re remembered for being good teammates, who were willing to sacrifice any statistical glory for the better good of Bonita baseball and football programs, and that if you work hard enough, and believe in yourself, you can and will be successful in anything you do.

Quotable:

Bonita baseball coach Ryan Marcos on AJ Moreno: “There’s many great qualities about A.J. and I’ll always have fond memories of him on and off the baseball field. Everyday after his rounds of batting practice, he would come by and say something like, “coach, thanks for throwing BP” or “You still got it coach,” or “coach, you’re gonna need to ice your arm!” This year A.J. would text me on a Saturday night with a couple other guys on the thread and he’d ask if I’d open the Bonita weight room and lift weights with them at 8:00 on Sunday mornings. I’m really going to miss A.J. Moreno and I’m honored to be a part of his life on and off the baseball field.”

Bonita baseball coach Ryan Marcos on Trevor Caton: “Every day after practice Trevor would tell the coaches, “Thanks coach!” I’ll always remember his smile after a double in the gap or funny joke from a teammate. He always wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s passionate about being a good teammate and friend. I’m really going to miss Trevor Caton at Bonita, but I really look forward to following him on and off the baseball field throughout his life. It’s an honor to be a part of his life.”

Bonita football coach & four-time CIF champion, Steve Bogan: “Both were a blessing. Caton was the key to our win over Colony when winds hit 50-plus mph. He was our workhorse running back that game, rushing for over 100 yards. AJ Moreno was one of best overall athletes on the team. He was often a two-way starter. He’s a Jim Thorpe type of athlete. He can do everything well. His defensive play against San Dimas in the Smudge Pot game was huge. His interception and coverage killed a number of drives. Both were and are complete and total class acts!”

Bonita sophomore pitcher, Luke Mistone: “AJ and Trevor are both obviously very talented and helped put Bonita baseball on the map. I would say the thing that was different about them was how bad they wanted to win and how they always put the team first. If they were 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, they were going to be locked in on every pitch to try and help the team win.”

Bonita quarterback Sean Jastrab: “They were both great in the aspect that they played both baseball and football. They wanted to play their senior year in football and AJ and Trevor both did great. AJ started at receiver and had a lot of catches and also played a lot of safety to help out, and Trevor played running back, which he helped us out in one of our games by rushing for over 100 yards. They both just loved to compete and be the best they could be and it sucks that baseball got cancelled for them, but AJ is going to Cal Poly Pomona to play and I’m sure Trevor will be playing in college too. Overall, they are both just great competitors and hard working guys.”

AJ Moreno’s Career Stats:

2019:

Batting: .393, 32 hits, 19 runs, 24 RBIs, four doubles, two triples & three home runs

Pitching: 2-0, 0.94 ERA, six walks, 17 strikeouts

2020:

.300, six hits, three runs, five RBIs, two doubles & one home run

2-1, 1.87 ERA, four walks, 11 strikeouts

Football: 17 catches for 285 yards, one TD, 28 tackles & one interception

Trevor Caton’s Career Stats:

2018: .240, 12 hits, five runs, four RBIs, two doubles & .485 OBP

2019: .276, 16 hits, seven runs, six RBIs, four doubles & one triple

2020: .393, 11 hits, six runs, five RBIs & three doubles

Football: 44 carries for 146 yards, two TD’s & 22 tackles

Bonita’s Baseball Record:

2020: 7-2 overall, 1-0 in Palomares League (tied for first)

2019: 22-7, 14-1 (Palomares League champions)

To view a photo gallery of Moreno & Caton, click on the Facebook link here: (3) Facebook