By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

The 2019 season has already been a historic one for the Arcadia baseball team.

The Apaches won their first Pacific League championship since 2011, thanks to a two-game sweep of Crescenta Valley last week.

Arcadia went 13-1 in league play, with credit going to both a remarkable pitching staff and an offense that outscored opponents, 120-18, over that 14-game stretch.

And it didn’t get much more satisfying than dethroning CV on its home field back on April 23.

Three days later, the Apaches put extra icing on the cake when they picked up the sweep of the Falcons in a 3-0 victory.

Nick Lemas, in his 13th year at Arcadia, watched his program go 48 days of the 2019 season before suffering their first (and only) loss.

The Apaches began the year with 15 consecutive victories before dropping a one-run contest to Muir on March 29.

Since then, Arcadia has won eight consecutive games, including the above mentioned sweep of Cresecenta Valley to close out the regular season.

And as elated as everyone in Arcadia colors is to have won back the Pacific League championship, the Apaches will settle for nothing less than a shot at the CIF-SS Division 2 championship.

The top-seeded Apaches open the postseason today (Friday) when they host Pacifica of Garden Grove.

The Mariners (15-14) defeated Redlands, 4-2, in a wild-care game on Wednesday.

Through 24 games this season, Arcadia is spearheaded on the mound by a pair of talented junior pitchers.

Preston Howey (12-0, 0.59 ERA) and Chris Wilson (10-1, 1.08 ERA) have been nothing short of remarkable.

Howey and Wilson have combined to issue 26 walks and strike out 140 batters in their 101 1/3 combined innings on the mound.

When it comes to the bats and the muscle, Arcadia has 10 different players hitting over the .300 mark.

Throughout the 2019 season, the Apaches have seen almost every player on their roster step up and play a vital role in their San Gabriel Valley-leading 23-1 record.

Five guys that we feature today include seniors Jeffrey Castillo, Jacob Lopez and Dominick Tello, as well as junior Dustin Allen and sophomore Mikey Easter.

And while they all lead in one offensive category or another, the Arcadia five-pack contribute in many ways stats could never measure, according to coach Nick Lemas.

Castillo and Lopez are four-year starters and Tello has contributed over the past three years.

Castillo is the Apaches’ leadoff man and he’s hitting .383, with a team-best 31 hits.

Castillo has scored 21 runs, has eight doubles, two triples, 13 RBIs and he leads Arcadia with 10 stolen bases.

Lemas calls Castillo, “the leader, who works extremely hard and does everything right. He’s done a great job of taking other guys under his wings and teaching them how to be elite. He’s always a team guy, whether things are going well for him or not. He puts his ego aside and makes sure this team is ready to go.”

For his part, Castillo wanted to thank coaches Lemas, Sergi, Klein, Hyatt and Larson for their willingness to push every Arcadia player to be better than they were the day before.

He said his sisters Allison and Victoria have been his biggest fans, and they push him to be a better student and person.

His parents, Salvador and Tuyet Castillo, have his eternal appreciation and love. His mom has actually been his lifelong hitting coach as well.

As the leadoff man, Castillo said his job is obviously to get on base and score runs, but it’s just as important to play solid defense at shortstop behind Howey and Wilson and to be a leader for the younger players.

Said Castillo: “This year, I think one of the biggest things to actually help us get over the hump was a loss. That loss gave us that wake-up call that we needed to get back on the tracks and work even harder. The funny thing about baseball is that any team can beat you at any given time, so you have to play your best game every time.

I think what makes our team so special is that we are a small team, the closeness of our team provides to the strength of our team. I believe that Arcadia is very capable of winning a CIF championship. Our team is filled with guys who can hit and support our dudes, Preston Howey and Chris Wilson. I believe as long as we can play our game and stick with it we can beat anybody.”

Lopez is a guy his coaches and teammates love, because while others may get more credit or headlines when Arcadia wins games, Lopez cares only that the Apaches left the field with a victory.

Lopez and Castillo now hold a very special place in Arcadia baseball lore, because after eight years of falling just short, these two four-year starters (and their teammates) made sure the 2019 Apaches are in the record book until the end of time, and for the right reasons.

Lopez is hitting .300, with 18 hits.

He’s scored 20 runs, and driven in 14.

Lopez has four doubles, a triple, two home runs and has been hit-by-pitch a team-high 11 times.

His numbers won’t ‘wow’ anyone, but it’s his work ethic, resielency, and selflessness that make him both popular and valuable.

He’s even made a few appearances on the mound and earned a saved when called upon.

He is someone Lemas calls ‘a total gamer.’

“Jacob is the more ‘behind-the-scenes’ guy, who is getting things done,” Lemas said. “I don’t hear him as much, but I always see him setting the field up and making sure we’re having a quality practice. He is the most savvy ball player I’ve coached.”

Lopez credits his parents, Oscar and Anita, and sister, Amanda, who push Jacob to be the best version of himself that he can be, and in ever facet of his life.

Said Lopez: “Offensively, my role is to get the job done when there is a sign on. Other than that, it’s to put as much pressure on the defense as I can in order to get a hit. Defensively, it’s simple, and that is to make outs and cut down runners from advancing another 90 feet. The loss to Muir really humbled us all I think. After losing, everyone from the players to the fans were all shocked and stunned. The team reacted really well, though and we got back to work and developed in areas we needed to improve.

As the team got tighter after the loss, we knew at that point we were going to be hard to beat moving forward and ultimately leading us to the Pacific League title. What makes this special is the team chemistry and the talent we have on this team. It makes us really hard to beat. My family means everything to me, and they have my back no matter what. They are always there to tell me what I did wrong and how to correct it. Their love and support is the best thing I can ask for by my side as I continue the rest of my high school career and into my college career. “

Tello is affectionately called ‘Raider’ by his coaches and teammates.

He is verbal and isn’t afraid to get in a teammate’s face when the necessity presents itself.

The Apaches’ senior is hitting .308, with 24 hits and 25 runs scored.

Tello has 18 RBI’s, one triple and a team-best nine doubles.

Tello also plays a solid third base for Arcadia.

“He is our emotional leader and someone that hates to lose,” Lemas said. “He plays hard and with fire, and while Castillo is more of a lead-by-action kind of guy, Tello is the verbal leader,”

Tello is also a tough out. In all of 2019, he’s only gone down on strikes twice.

Said Tello: “I feel like one of two co-captains, alongside my brother to the left of me, Jeffrey Castillo. I try to do a good job commanding the infield alongside Jeff. Offensively, I see myself as a third leadoff man and at the same time an RBI specialist. I feel quite comfortable in the three hole. With Jeff and Dustin in front of me, I will always hit with runners on. I feel this year that with our limited numbers, the cohencency of the team is amplified tenfold. Each teammate feels more like an actual brother as the comradery built throughout the preseason has created this mold that is unbreakable.

Our relationship with one another helped give us that final push. In my eyes, the pressure we apply on the base paths will be the greatest advantage we have going into the playoffs. Although (CIF-SS) Division 2 is filled to the brim with talent, our aggressiveness and sheer speed will definitely cause some teams to crack. My greatest motivator and at the same time biggest critic would be my father, Jayson Tello. Late nights, early mornings it did not matter, if I wanted to hit, workout, or field ground balls, my dad was willing and able to do that so I could become the best version of me I can be on the field. As for the student aspect, I thank my father as well as my mother Vanessa Tello, as they instilled in me that a good education is needed to live a great life, and I believe that to be true.”

Dustin Allen has done and continues to produce in so many ways to help Arcadia to a 23-1 record in 2019, which equates to winning 96-percent of their games.

He hit .354 as a sophomore and has upped that nearly 30 points this season.

In all, Allen is batting .382, with 29 hits and his 26 runs leads the Apaches.

Allen has collected five doubles, three triples (tied for team high), and he’s registered five of Arcadia’s six saves this season.

Allen has yet to give up an earned run in over 26 innings this year.

And he has a nearly 3-to-1, strikeout-to-walk ratio on the mound, when he’s been asked to close out games started and dominated by Preston Howey and Chris Wilson.

His two home runs tie Allen for second with Lopez.

Brandon Nguyen leads the Apaches with five home runs.

“Dustin is such a talent and can really do it all,” Lemas said of his star junior. “He leads us by the way he plays. And he’s never afraid of the big moments.”

My role offensively, as I see it, is to get on base and work gaps and move runners when needed in order to get our middle of the line up with runners in scoring position, Allen said. “Defensively in the outfield, I find my role is to keep balls out of the gap and run down as many balls as I can do get outs for my pitchers. On the mound, I see my role as just throwing strikes, and trusting my defense to make plays for me

I think the difference than in past years is we were faced with a little adversity earlier in the year so we were able to work back into our mentality of just letting the game come to us and playing hard all 7 innings.

In my view what makes this team special and bound for a playoff run is how closely we’re all bonded on and off the field. I think that goes a long way because whenever one of us is down, there’s always someone there to pick us up.

Allen went on to say, “I think my whole family has pushed me to always work hard on and off the field, whether it be baseball or school work. Both my parents, Jim and Lily Allen, always put me in the best possible position to succeed and give me all the support in the world,” At a young age. being able to be challenged by my siblings, Anza Tang, Aaron Tang (both cousins) and my sister, Candace Allen, I was able to develop a strong competitive nature.

Also, my hitting/pitching coach Clint Marcus, who has always helped me get into my best shape fundamentally in order to succeed on the field. Not only that, but always making sure I’m doing the right things off the field in order to put myself in the best possible position to succeed. Lastly, my girlfriend Makayla Rivera, has played a major role in me becoming the player/person I am today. She’s been a huge support system on and off the field, attending all my games and always being there if I’m ever struggling in any way. She pushes me to strive for more and never allows for me to settle, either in the classroom or on the field.”

Mikey Easter is mentioned last, but certainly not least.

He’s been described as both ‘the baby’ and ‘a stud.’

And the baby reference was in no way used as a pejorative.

Easter is the youngest of the five and the sophomore’s numbers are insane.

Easter is hitting .409, which is 10 points less than another great contributor named Tyler Quintero, who we’ll mention in a minute.

Easter has 27 hits and he’s scored 18 runs.

His 31 RBIs leads the Apaches and are 12 more than Allen, who is second with 19 RBIs.

He has eight doubles, and his three doubles is tied for a team-high with Allen.

Easter also leads the Apaches with a .529 on-base percentage, he’s been hit eight times and has gone 10 1/3 innings on the mound and allowed just one earned run.

“He just lives baseball,” Lemas said. “All these guys have taken him under their wings and he just takes it all in. I could see him taking over next year and being the main team leader.”

Said Easter: “I see my role in the Arcadia offense as hitting runners in, and if not doing that. at least getting them over. With being in the four hole the whole year, my job has been really simple as they guys ahead of me get on most of the time. Defensively, I just play the position that is asked. This year I have been used primarily at first base, but I am able and willing to play anywhere Coach Lemas asks or needs me to.

I can’t speak for past years since, I am only a sophomore, but i think that our team chemistry this year, and having such small numbers made it easier to bond, and know what is needed in each other. This team is very special in many ways. We are set up to make a deep playoff run, because we have one of the best 1-2 punches in Southern California, with Howey and Wilson, and we have speed throughout the whole lineup. I also don’t think many teams can say they have a nine-hole hitter with five home runs.

My parents, Kim and Mike Easter have been a big part of my success of becoming a better person and student. They both push me every day to become the best I can be on and off the field. My grandparents, Tim and Kathy Heaton, have pushed me to become the player I can be from a small age, as they knew how much I love the game. The support I get from my family is amazing and I love them so much.”

As much as these five players have contributed, they would also be the first, along with their coaches to acknowledge that along with Howey and Wilson’s brilliance on the mound, the Apaches get production from every guy in a uniform.

And that includes Tyler Quintero, who is having an amazing senior year.

Quintero leads Arcadia with a .419 average, 26 hits, 15 runs, 12 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple and one home run.

Brandon Nguyen is just a sophomore and is batting .370, with 20 hits, 18 runs and 18 RBIs.

As mentioned, Nguyen has five of Arcadia’s nine home runs in 2019.

Dylan Guerra, the Apaches’ star quarterback of the football team is hitting .367, with 11 hits, eight runs, seven RBIs and four doubles.

Each of the five we spoke with were bright and humble enough to say that while Arcadia has the talent to play with anyone, baseball is that one sport where if you’re not playing your best, you can be sent home with a season-ending loss like teams with much less talent.

And if you think that’s just BS or them being safe, ask the 2018 Harvard-Westlake Wolverines.

They entered the playoffs last season ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 1, with a 26-3 record.

And those same Wolverines were bounced in the first round, 8-4, to a Valencia program with a 15-16 record.

When asked what he appreciates most about his players, Lemas made it short, but sweet.

“They’re all great ball players. But also, great students and great kids. I tell my six-year old kid to watch how they play. They do it right. They play hard, they have fun, and they’re good people.”

And perhaps the best compliment came from the one coach that handed Arcadia a loss this season, Muir’s Adonis Harrison.

“I couldn’t have more respect for Coach Lemas, his staff, players or his program, because they carry themselves well, they play the game hard and the way it’s supposed to be played and you’re able to gauge your own team when you play against them, because they have really set the bar. I wish them all the luck in the world in the playoffs and I very much appreciate all the positive things Coach Lemas has said about our program since I took over two years ago. Even in their one loss this season, he had to be disappointed, and yet he went out of his way to show respect and class towards my guys and I’ll never forget that.”

The drive for that CIF championship starts today at 3:15.

Getting to know Jacob Lopez:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers

Favorite athlete: Tyler Freeman

Favorite movie: Project X

Favorite musical artist: Kenrick Lamar

Musical artist some may be surprised I like: Rihanna

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want to speak with: Bill Gates or Steve Jobs

Getting to know Mikey Easter:

Favorite sports team: New York Yankees

Favorite athlete: Yasmani Grandal

Favorite movie: Benchwarmers

Favorite musical artist: Taylor Swift

Musical artist say may be surprised I like: Sam Hunt

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want to speak with: Chris Taylor

Getting to know Dustin Allen:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers

Favorite athlete: Christian Yelich

Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street

Favorite musical artist: Gunna

Musical artist say may be surprised I like: Guns n Roses

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want to speak with: Seth Rogen

Getting to know Dominick Tello:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers

Favorite athlete: Ozzie Smith

Favorite movie: Monsters University

Favorite musical artist: Chance the Rapper or Eminem

Musical artist say may be surprised I like: Avril Lavigne

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want to speak with: Jackie Robinson

Getting to know Jeffrey Castillo:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers

Favorite athlete: Francisco Lindor

Favorite movie: Step Up

Favorite musical artist: Migos

Musical artist some might be surprised I like: Selena Gomez

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d most want to speak with: Duke Ellington