Baseball:

Pictured L-R: Jake Brown, Jayden Lopez & Michael Woodward

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

The steep upward trajectory since Tony Garcia-Bautista took over the reins of the Rancho Cucamonga High School baseball program continued its ascension recently.

And it isn’t just on the field that impresses.

Last year alone, among the eight seniors, five had a better than 4.0 grade-point average and three others were at 3.0 or higher.

When COVID-19 took over midway through the 2020 baseball season, RCHS was 9-2-1 and in first place in the Baseline League.

The Cougars had just earned a two-games-to-one series victory over Damien before the heartbreaking fears of a shutdown became reality.

But the boys in the 91701 have done everything within safety mandates to be ready for a 2021 season.

And with mounting pressures adding up, three Cougars’ seniors recently alleviated some weight off their minds and shoulders.

Jake Brown (Northern Colorado), Jayden Lopez (UC Riverside) and Mike Woodward (Long Beach State) all committed to have their careers continued at the collegiate level in 2022.

We asked Coach Garcia-Bautista to give us feedback on his three senior college commits:

“Michael Woodward is our leadoff hitter and center fielder. He will anchor our defense in CF with his speed, range and power arm. He’ll be a catalyst for our offensive attack with his 6.3/60 speed and ability to drive the ball. He’ll have many extra-base hits, and when he gets on base, he will be a weapon for our running game. Woody stands at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds with an imposing build and big time athleticism. Pro scouts have been following him for the past year and may end up in the draft. Woody will be a force at Long Beach State once he arrives. He has all the physical intangibles you look for in an athlete. Mike is a great teammate, has a tremendous work ethic and an excellent student in the classroom with a 4.13 GPA.”

“Jayden Lopez is a top-level human being that cares deeply for his coaches, teammates and peers. He comes from a first-responder family and I recall him making routine calls to his teammates and coaches to check up on them during the lockdown, especially during those tough earlier months of the pandemic. He was that calming voice telling us that things were going to be OK. As a player, he is a tremendous athlete and a natural center fielder that is willing to play at whichever outfield position the team needs him at. He will split his time at all three outfield positions, depending of the need for the game. He is a top-caliber lefty bat that will hit in the three hole for us to produce and drive in runs. He is a high average and extra-base hitter, a tough out, and very hard to strike out. Lopey will be a force in the middle of our lineup. His 6.7/60 speed will also contribute in our running attack. UC Riverside gets a great student-athlete with a 3.7 GPA, that can really hit, run, play defense and has an excellent outfielder’s arm. I have no doubt he will turn into one of the top players for the Highlanders upon his arrival. He is a one of a kind player and human being.”

“Jake Brown will anchor our pitching rotation as a starting pitcher. He has a mid-80’s fastball with excellent movement, and a devastating curveball that is his out pitch. On the field, he will see time at third base, and will be a power hitter in the two slot of our lineup, sandwiched between Woody and Lopey. Brownie has a lot of natural power with a great sense of barrel awareness. He was a hits machine for us and we look forward to using him at the top of our hitting attack. His high baseball IQ and his 6.9/60 speed will also be a key factor in our running game. On pitching days, he will hit for himself. The University of Northern Colorado will get one our best human beings as he comes from a great family and an excellent 4.1 GPA Student. He is a legitimate candidate to be a two-way player in college.”

And lastly, we asked Brown, Lopez and Woodward to answer the following questions:

1) How excited are you to know where you’re going to college? 2) Will it take a lot of pressure off this season? 3) Why was the school you chose the best fit for you OR what are you most excited about in choosing the school you did? 4) What are you most looking forward to in terms of the 2021 baseball season? And lastly, 5) How do you think the RCHS baseball program helped prepare you for college ball?

Jake Brown:

1) It’s extremely exciting because I know there is a program that wants me as a player and a teammate. I know I have a home where I will make an immediate impact.

2) Now that I know where I am going to land, I can stay more focused on solely helping my teammates get a ring in high school.

3) This school was the best fit for me because it gives me the opportunity to play in early years. Also, it gives me the best opportunity to put up numbers to be noticed by MLB teams.

4) I am looking forward mostly to have the special brotherhood with my teammates and compete for a title.

5) The RCHS program has helped me by making me understand how much of a team sport baseball actually is. It’s something much bigger than yourself so you really have to lock in and sacrifice for your brothers.

Jayden Lopez:

1. I am beyond excited and blessed to be able to say I have a place to go to with everything going on , words can’t explain it.

2. Yes it will take pressure off of this season but it also means I will have to play at a higher level every game to show everyone that I’m worthy of this scholarship

3. UC Riverside was the best fit for me because it’s 20 mins down the road and will give me the best opportunity to get to The Show also I’ve dreamed of playing in the Big West Conference since I was a kid

4. What I’m most looking forward to in the 2021 season is getting back on the field with my boys and finishing what we started and getting that CIF Championship

5. RCHS Baseball has prepared me for college in many ways but 2 things that really helped out was getting my name out there to coaches and thanks to coach garcia teaching me the 2 strike approach and consistent line drives.

Mike Woodward:

1. I’m very excited

2. Being committed takes a little pressure off of me but when you’re playing baseball at a competitive level, there will always be pressure. We had such a great season last year that I think we all feel the pressure to keep that going.

3. Long Beach State was the best choice for me because of the coaching. They have the best coaches on the West coast and I know Long Beach State will prepare me for my future in baseball.

4. For the 2021 baseball season I am just looking forward to playing baseball with my friends. Due to Covid, I haven’t been able to play ball with them in over 8 months. I am just praying we have a 2021 season.

5. Last year for the 2020 season Coach Garcia and Coach Spiers were amazing. They ran practices like college practices so we will already know what it will feel like as soon as we graduate.