Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto

In the 26 years before Tomas Bilvado earned a spot on San Marino’s varsity squad in 2023, the Titans won a total of two league titles.

Since his arrival, SMHS has secured three consecutive Rio Hondo League championships.

Moreover, of the 40 high schools within the 210 Prep Sports coverage zone, only Arcadia and San Marino have won 20 or more games over the past three years.

The Titans tallied 46 wins in the six seasons between 2017-2022.

In the last three years alone, SMHS has gone 62-21.

That includes a 4-2 mark in postseason games.

And with all that said, SMHS is rarely mentioned when discussing elite SGV area baseball programs, and the Titans don’t receive nearly the media attention they deserve.

In each of his three seasons at San Marino, Bilvado’s batting average, hits total, wins on the mound and strikeouts has consistently gone up.

Over that same stretch, his ERA, walks and losses have gone down considerably.

Bilvado is listed as 5-foot-11 and approximately 175 pounds.

Tomas is not a physically imposing figure.

However, he’s been as effective and efficient as someone 6-foot-4 with a fastball that tops out in the 90’s.

And the reason for his success is numerous.

It starts with his work ethic.

Bilvado is one of those guys that mirrors the adage ‘first to arrive, last to leave,’ when it comes to putting in the time to master his craft.

His baseball IQ is off the charts, and the psychological aspect of the game is something that Tomas manages very well.

In 2023, Bilvado only had six at-bats and scored one run.

On the mound, though, he went 7-4 with a 2.44 ERA.

Bilvado struck out 52 batters in 63 innings.

He was second to senior Michael Liquori’s totals in wins (8), ERA among starters (1.43) and strikeouts (54).

That season, the Titans made their first appearance in the semifinal round of the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs since 1995.

Bilvado got the start, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

He walked two and struck out a pair in a 3-1 loss to Hesperia Christian.

In 2024, Bilvado’s contributions were considerable.

He went 10-2 on the mound with a 1.47 ERA.

Bilvado struck out 74 batters in 76 innings.

Tomas had six more wins than his next closest teammate (JT Lu-Morris), 34 more strikeouts than JJ Wilson (40) and 26 1/3 more innings than Wilson (49 2/3 IP).

Bilvado’s upped his batting average from .000 to .218, which was ninth best among SMHS starters.

His 17 hits were seventh, and he finished 22 back of Wilson’s team-leading 39 base hits.

After his junior campaign, Bilvado wasn’t satisfied just being a great pitcher.

He wanted to contribute more to a program that he genuinely loves.

Tomas spent countless hours in the batting cage, and he credits Coach Mike Patterson for his instruction and the sacrificing of his time, day and night, to help Bilvado become an offensive threat to San Marino opponents.

Bilvado’s hours upon hours with Patterson has paid large dividends.

In 2025, Bilvado improved his batting average 147 points to .365.

He went from 17 hits in 2024 to 27 this season.

Bilvado also raised his totals in runs scored (11 runs in 2024 to 20 in 2025), doubles (5 to 11), RBIs (12 to 22) and home runs (0 to 3).

He’s gone from having the ninth highest batting average to second in one year.

Tomas is second in RBIs, and he’s tied for first in doubles and home runs with Chase Mena.

And then there’s hit utter domination on the mound.

Bilvado is 11-0 with a 1.00 ERA.

He’s tossed six complete games, and Tomas has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6-to-1.

Bilvado’s 87 strikeouts in 2025 is 13 more than last year.

And he accomplished that feat in 13 less innings.

Bilvado’s work ethic and his desire to be the best has come to fruition.

His 28 wins is a career record at SMHS.

Bilvado broke John Tuttle’s record of 21 total wins between 1994-1996.

And he smashed Erich Von Batsh’s career strikeouts record of 155 that was set in 1978.

Through last week’s regular season finale, Bilvado has surpassed the old mark by 58 strikeouts, and he’ll add to that total tomorrow.

Said John Franklin: 1) “Tomas has grown every year that he’s been in high school. Not only has he grown physically, but mentally as well. As a freshman, he had a lot of talent and just loved to play baseball. After making varsity his sophomore year, he utilized that talent to be one of our two starters on a team that won the Rio Hondo League, and who went all the way to the semifinal round of the D-6 playoffs.

Entering his junior year, he maximized his talent with his incredible work ethic. He grinded in the weight room, at practice, and on his own to improve his already impressive skill set. This allowed him to be named RHL Pitcher of the Year on a team that had now won back-to-back Rio Hondo League Championships, and one that made it to the second round of the D-4 playoffs.

Now, as a senior, Tomas incorporated his skills, work ethic, and improved on the mental game of baseball. More impressive than Tomas’ skillset is his ability to dissect the game and stay unphased during big moments. He added three great pitches to his arsenal, improving on an impressive junior year to a senior year that ended his regular season going 11-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched. Even more impressive, he became a very good hitter and batted in the No. 3 spot all season.

Tomas leads by example, and he’s the first guy to pick up his teammates. Everyone has jobs to do before/after practice and games, and Tomas’ is one of the first guys getting jobs done and helping others finish up their jobs. In a game where he was one out away from a no hitter, our team made six errors behind him, and he was the first guy picking his teammates up. Most other high school players would have crumbled in that situation. Tomas went on to throw a complete game one-hitter in spite of all the errors behind him.

2) I have mentioned it already, but what I admire most about Tomas is his work ethic and his ability to not let things get to him. He is extremely mature emotionally and understands the concept of “control what you can control.” He is the best teammate anyone can ask for and I bet every player on his team would say the same thing about him. He is a servant leader that any coach, team, or player would love to have. On top of his ‘get it done’ attitude and phenomenal work ethic, he knows when to just have fun. He is always the one cracking jokes and laughing with his teammates.

3) Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I personally feel it is a shame how much this kid has been overlooked by colleges. He is one of, if not the best pitcher in the area, and not only does he have the stuff and skills, his maturity, and mental game separate him from many guys that are currently pitching in college. His leadership skills, competitive nature, and kind-hearted nature make him a perfect fit for anyone. In the end, everything works out for a reason. And I know whatever college does land Tomas is going to be getting a steal. With the growth he has shown each and every year, I could see him following a successful college career with a career at the professional level as well. I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.”

Bilvado’s fellow senior, Evan Bruno, described his teammate this way:

“Tomas puts the needs of the whole team first. He’s never afraid to call out somebody who’s slacking off or offering a suggestion to a teammate in need, and he does it because he wants us all to be the best players we can be. I don’t think I’ve ever played with a more competitive person than Tomas. He gets more locked in on days he starts on the mound than anybody I’ve ever seen. His focus on the small details gives him a competitive advantage.

I admire his dedication. He consistently is always among the earliest to get to practice, and as soon as he gets to the field, he works hard until practice is over. He puts in more work outside of practice too, and it seems as though he’s always trying to improve his game daily in any way possible. We rely on Tomas a lot to perform and win big games. The team goes as he goes. He’s our best pitcher and one of if not our best hitter as well, and when Tomas is not on, the team struggles. His abilities and leadership play an irreplaceable role on this team.”

It’s one thing to hear nice things about Tomas from his coach and a teammate.

But even his rivals appreciate this young man.

Longtime Monrovia coach and Rio Hondo League rival Brad Blackmore took the time to send this quote: “Tomas has been a special player for our league. His growth the last three years has been incredible.  Tomas and JJ Wilson have raised the level for our league, and I was happy to see him pitch against some upper division teams. I know my kids were always up for the challenge.  And we competed well against him, but he has the ability to make a key pitch in the biggest moments of a game. I am impressed with his competitiveness most of all. He respects the game and his opponent.  Some D-1 schools are missing out, but he will make his own path.”

Bilvado talked about the changes and growth that made him so successful on the mound.

“It starts with control. It was a mindset shift for me. During my sophomore year, I was a bit timid. I didn’t want to mess around and lose my spot on the staff. I wasn’t trying to pitch to contact. I finally learned that my stuff is pretty good and that I could trust my defense to make the plays behind me.

Along with attacking the zone, the psychological aspect in baseball is the most important part. If you’re weak-minded you’re not going to succeed. Early on in my career, I wasn’t focused on that mindset. I was trying to have fun. However, when I started playing travel ball, everyone was pushing and working so hard to perform well. I had to learn how to master the mental part of it. Visualization has also been huge for me.”

Bilvado also has his priorities in order.

As much as kids like to see their hard work and success be recognized in the media, Bilvado needed time to study for finals before we could do our phone interview late Tuesday night.

His parents, Brent and Erin Bilvado deserve credit for that.

“My mom is a very strong woman, and she is a nonstop force. I want her to know how much I respect, admire and love her. She pushed me to be a good person first. Succeeding in sports is great, but school comes before that.”

Erin and Brent met in college at UC Davis, and both were athletes and very gifted students.

Tomas’ father played baseball in his youth and Mrs. Bilvado swam.

“My mom is involved in the community and she’s always giving of herself and her time, and my dad is my motivator. He’s always pushed me to be the best version of myself. I know he’s got my best interest in mind. I wouldn’t be the player or person that I am without the support and unconditional love of my mom and dad.”

Bilvado also has three siblings.

His 12-year-old brother Patrick is the youngest of the crew, and he plays football, basketball and baseball.

Madeline, 15, is a softball, volleyball and soccer player.

And his 19-year-old big sister, Sophia, played softball and soccer in high school.

Currently, Bilvado is waiting out the recruiting process, but if he had to make a decision today, he said he’d either likely attend Mt. SAC or Glendale College.

Ironically, the Mounties and Vaqueros face off this weekend at Mt. SAC to decide the Southern California Regional title in a best-of-three series that begins on Friday at 3.

He’s currently boasting a GPA around the 3.5 mark, and Bilvado is planning to pursue an education and a career in either business or real estate.

Tomas is also a young man with tremendous character, and he’s going to make a college team better just by being part of it.

I asked Bilvado what he hoped his younger teammates would remember about his example.

“I hope they saw how hard I worked and that being successful is only possible when you invest all your energy into whatever it is that you’re doing. I hope that they saw me come to practice each day and wanted to be better on Tuesday than I was on Monday. I want all of them to succeed in baseball and life.”

Bilvado’s humility made it uncomfortable for him to take the lion’s share of the credit for San Marino’s success.

He wanted it to be known that every player in an SMHS uniform has made invaluable contributions to the Titans’ remarkable run over the last three years.

He said the Morning’s (Coleman and Miles) are some of the best athletes that he’s even been around.

Tomas looked up to the Michael and Sebastian Liquori and the tone they set for the program.

His longtime best friend is JJ Wilson.

And Wilson is having a remarkable senior campaign of his own.

He’s batting .375 with 30 hits, 26 runs, 14 RBIs, eight doubles and one triple.

On the mound, Wilson is 6-3 with a 1.27 ERA.

He’s issued 17 walks and registered 60 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings.

Sophomore Chase Mena is having a great year.

He’s batting .360 with 27 hits, 20 runs, 27 RBIs, 11 doubles, one triple and three home runs.

JJ’s younger brother, Parker Wilson, is hitting at a .307 clip, with 23 hits, 17 runs, 13 RBIs, two doubles and a pair of triples.

Aldo Cali is batting .328 with 19 hits, 16 runs, eight RBIs and one double.

Miles Morning finished his junior regular season batting .327 with 18 hits, 16 runs, nine RBIs and five doubles.

Lastly, when asked what he wants to tell his fellow seniors, Bilvado said, “I would want them to know how much they have meant to me both on and off the field. They are the reason that playing this game and on this team is so much fun. I wouldn’t want to go to battle with any other group of guys, I know that if I’m on the mound or in the field they are all going to compete their butts off. They are all crazy talented and have huge potential. They just need to put in the work, and they will see lots of success.”

Up next: In spite of being 21-6 and securing a Rio Hondo League championship, this wonderful playoff formula has San Marino traveling to Temecula on Thursday to battle Great Oak in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.

Somehow, at 12-16, and a third-place finish in the Southwestern League, the Wolfpack were awarded a home game.

To view a photo gallery of Bilvado through the years, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

Tomas Bilvado’s Career Stats at San Marino:
2023:
Hitting: O-for-6, 1 run
Pitching: 7-4, 2.44 ERA, 30 walks, 53 strikeouts in 63IP

2024:
Hitting: .218, 17 hits, 11 runs, 12 RBIs, five doubles
Pitching: 10-2, 1.47 ERA, 33 walks, 74 strikeouts in 76IP

2025:
Hitting: .365, 27 hits, 20 runs, 22 RBIs, 11 doubles & 3 HR’s
Pitching: 11-0, 1.00 ERA, 16 walks & 87 strikeouts in 63IP

Totals Pitching: 28-6, 1.50 ERA, 79 walks, 214 strikeouts

San Marino Records w/Tomas Bilvado:
2025: 21-6 overall, 10-2 in Rio Hondo League **
2024: 21-8, 9-3 **
2023: 20-7, 8-4 *
Totals: 62-21 overall, 27-9 in RHL

** Outright RHL champs
* They shared RHL title w/South Pasadena

2025 Rio Hondo League Standings:
San Marino (21-6, 10-2)
Monrovia (20-7, 8-4)
La Canada (17-11, 8-4)
Temple City (4-17-1, 2-10)
South Pasadena (8-20, 2-10)

San Marino’s Recent Records Before Bilvado:
2022: 7-15-1, 2-10
2021: 1-15, 0-12
2020: 3-4, 0-1
2019: 10-10, 8-4
2018: 12-9-1, 9-3
2017: 13-14, 5-7
2016: 23-7, 9-3
2015: 17-9, 7-4
2014: 19-8, 10-2 **