Photos by Robert Ketterling

College Baseball:

To put this historic accomplishment into its proper perspective, consider the following: The last time Mount San Antonio College won a state championship in baseball, none of the players’ parents had even been born yet.

Lyndon B. Johnson was the President of the United States, gas cost 31 cents a gallon and the Beatles and Rolling Stones were standing atop the music world.

Fast forward to May 26th of 2025, and Mt. SAC earned the title of California State Champions.

The Mounties needed 13 innings on Memorial Day to outlast West Valley, 8-5, at Mt. SAC.

Mt. SAC took a 4-2 lead into the eighth inning.

But, to the Vikings’ credit, the designated home team scored three times in the bottom half of the inning, and they were three outs from forcing a winner-take-all scenario in the form of a second game on Monday.

However, the Mounties got one in the ninth and three more in the top of the 13th inning to take an 8-5 advantage.

Mt. SAC called the state leader in wins, Izeah Muniz (13-1) out of the bullpen to close out the historic championship, and Muniz did not disappoint.

In fact, Muniz got two of the final three outs via strikeout, which meant he finished his remarkable season with a state-best 126 strikeouts in 2025.

It was Muniz’s first and only save of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Brenden Menchaca went seven innings, and he was responsible for five runs on 10 hits.

Menchaca did not issue a walk and registered seven strikeouts.

Sam Silversmith, the Mounties team leader in saves (7), was outstanding in relief.

Silversmith went five scoreless innings and scattered five hits.

He walked one and fanned eight West Valley batters.

Xander Sielken had an RBI single in the bottom of the first to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

And Sielken’s two-run single in the eighth pulled West Valley even at 4-4.

Eric Altmark went 3-for-6, including an RBI double in the eighth to give the Vikings a 5-4 lead.

David Estrada had a pair of singles and doubles, and he scored two runs out of the leadoff spot.

Carmelo Rivera walked, singled and scored.

Jordan Hall doubled and scored.

Drew Dillehay had an RBI single in the second inning.

Kai Laxa collected a pair of singles and Colin Spear singled once in the loss.

Bryce Berry was the first of six West Valley pitchers.

Berry went 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.

He issued one walk and fanned a pair of Mounties.

Sebastian Buller provided four innings in relief, and he surrendered one run on two hits and three walks.

Buller fanned two Mt. SAC batters.

Shane Timmons was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings.

Landon White, who is best known for his batting average and doubles hit a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning.

White went 4-for-5, drew a pair of walks and scored two runs.

Ty Thomas walked twice, scored and had a pair of singles, including a two-run base hit in the 13th.

Terrell Jackson Jr. scored, and he gave the Mounties a 6-5 lead with his RBI single in the 13th.

Diego Ortiz is easily one of Mt. SAC’s unsung heroes.

Ortiz went 3-for-6 with a walk, and a two-run single in the third to give the Mounties a 3-2 advantage.

“When I was up to bat, I was trying not to get caught up in the moment and just do my job,” Ortiz said. “I feel in these last weeks as a team we have done a great job in picking each other up, and I had my shot and came through. As a team, we are excited to be part of history. We are all fired up and happy to finish what we started.”

Bryan Bradshaw doubled and scored.

Cole Nachreiner drew a pair of walks, doubled and scored.

Jackson Giacone went 3-for-5 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.

Noah Rodriguez walked twice and singled in a run in the second inning to get the Mounties on the scoreboard.

The Mounties finished with a state-best 45 wins.

They went 10-1 in the postseason, including a 3-0 mark in extra-inning games.

In fact, three of their final four wins were decided in extra frames.

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If you don’t have Facebook, click on this link to view Mr. Ketterling’s photo gallery: Robert Ketterling’s Photo Gallery of Mt. SAC Securing a First State Title Since 1965 After Monday’s 8-5 Victory Over West Valley in 13 – Welcome

Lastly, I asked some players to answer the following: 1-To clinch this title in 13 innings and having to work this hard to clinch it..how fitting was that and how satisfying was it to have to scratch and claw as opposed to some blowout breeze of a game? 2-Why do you think the program was able to make such noteworthy history? In other words, what made MSAC so successful in 2025? 3-What makes you most proud to be part of this program?
4-Lastly, what do you want to say to your teammates and coaches about making history together and the time you spent with them on this historic run?

Quotable:

Mt. SAC sophomore, Ty Thomas: “To be honest, I think all of us knew we were going to win it. It was just a matter of time until we broke it open. We had a few calls that didn’t go our way, which made it tougher. We had a few chances in the later innings, and we didn’t get it done. Terrell put us ahead, Sammy threw a lot of innings in relief (on short rest) and Muniz shut the door (also on short rest). In the end, it was satisfying to scratch and claw for this. It definitely goes along with our main team mottos this year, ‘don’t quit’ and ‘dominate late.’ What made Mt. SAC great in 2025 was our edge. We showed up every day with a chip on our shoulder and something to prove. No egos, just guys who were all in. Grinding, trusting the process, and holding each other accountable. That’s what separates good teams from championship teams. Batting lineup 1 through 9 were all animals. Everyone putting up tough at-bats all season, and especially when it mattered most in the playoffs. Also, couldn’t have done it without our starters and bullpen. From starters going deep in the game to guys throwing on short rest (very short rest) when it came down to it, everyone just played as a team. I’m proud to be part of a program that made history. First state championship in 60 years speaks for itself. Wearing this uniform means you’re ready to compete and just be an absolute dawg. To my brothers and coaches, I’ll never forget this. We made history the right way. Every practice, every bus ride, every tough moment, we stuck together. I wouldn’t trade this group for anything. We built something that’ll be remembered, and I’m proud to say I’m a Mountie4Life.”

Mt. SAC sophomore, Landon White: “It made us work and play as a family instead of a team. All of the hard work and practice worked after all. The thing that made Mt.SAC so successful this year was how close we were as a team. Outside of practice and games, we were together hanging out and having fun. The thing that makes me most proud was that we started 5-3, and we kept playing and wanting it more than any other team. I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for bringing me into this tight family immediately. I came in so late into this program and they brought me in immediately.”

Mt. SAC sophomore, Bryan Bradshaw: “I believe the way we won this last game in 13 innings was fitting for how the season went. We always had two mantras this year, ‘don’t quit’ and ‘dominate late.’ Both of these things came into effect in the last game, as we were down in the ninth and Landon White hit that homer to tie the game. it was great to have a team win where everyone contributed. We needed every single person on the roster today, and it really showed during this game. I believe we were so good this year due to our coaching and the way our players bought into the coaching. We also performed better this year due to putting each other first. Our lineup was so deep and everyone was rooting for each other. I’ve never played on a team that was so deep and that just really wanted to win. We wanted to win games more than other teams. I’m proud to play for this program because of all the hard work we put in. Nothing is given and everything is earned. It was great to play with a group of guys that I bonded with on and off the field. Mt. SAC was such a great experience, and I would recommend it to any anyone else. I want to thank all of my fellow teammates and the coaching staff from this year. They supported me through the year with the ups and downs. I would also like to thank all of the people behind the scenes, all of the workers and staff that always support us. Mt. SAC was a second home for me, and it was great to bring a championship to the school.”

Mt. SAC pitcher, Sam Silversmith: “I think being a part of this game and season is something truly special that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. This season taught me a lot that I will take with me forever. What I find to be the most special part of being in this program was the relationships that I built with my coaches and teammates. We were a very close group top to bottom. If I were to say one thing it would be just a hug and a thank you. I am just so grateful that I was able to come to the field everyday with this group. Everyone on this team made this year so special.”

Mt. SAC pitcher, Izeah Muniz: “It means everything to each and every one of us. Being able to keep pushing through all the adversity we have faced made this mean a little more. I would say all of the games we have won in the ninth inning and later. The amount of fight and grit our team displayed is unreal. Playing with 10 position players for half the season and everyone pulling the rope in the right direction and being able to flush every mistake. This team has probably been the best and most exciting team I’ve been a part of. The amount of energy our coaches bring every day, and the things they do for every kid in the program is a coach who every player should want to play for.

Mt. SAC pitcher, Brenden Menchaca: “Being a part of the game and this season was special. Winning 45 games and winning the championship was our goal since we started. Pitching in this game was a new experience pitching in front of a huge crowd and playing for history.”

Box Score:
MS: 0-1-2-0-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-3-(8)
WV: 1-1-0-0-0-0-0-3-0-0-0-0-0-(5)

Win: Sam Silversmith
Loss: Shane Timmons
Save: Izeah Muniz

HR: Landon White (MS)
2B: Landon White (MS), Bryan Bradshaw (MS), Cole Nachreiner (MS); David Estrada (WV) 2, Eric Altmark (WV), Jordan Hall (WV)

Records: Mt. SAC (45-6); West Valley (40-13)

Mt. SAC’s Road to History:
So Cal Regional:
5/2: MSAC 5, Desert 0
5/3: MSAC 8, Desert 2

Mt. SAC Super Regional:
5/8: MSAC 14, Cuesta 6
5/9: MSAC 13, Chaffey 6
5/10: Chaffey 13, MSAC 7
5/10: MSAC 9, Chaffey 8

So Cal Regional Final:
5/16: MSAC 14, Glendale 2
5/17: MSAC 9, Glendale 8 (10)

3C2A Final Four:
5/24: MSAC 4, Sierra 3 (11)
5/25: MSAC 9, West Valley 3
5/26: MSAC 8, West Valley 5 (13)

Mt. SAC: 10-1 in postseason, 3-0 in extra-inning games