Santa Barbara High baseball earned the 2024 Channel League title with a 4-3 victory over Ventura on the road on Thursday.
The Dons end the regular season with an overall record of 18-6 and finished 10-4 against league opponents.
Santa Barbara was facing a 3-2 deficit heading into the seventh inning, but they clutched up to pull out the win.
Down one run, Zeke Adderley blasted a solo homer over the left-field fence to tie things up at three runs apiece.
Jetner Welch then singled to right field and stole second base, setting up Liam Keithley, who roped the go-ahead single into center field.
That go-ahead knock proved to be the game-winner as Tanner Wilson set the Cougars down scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, and the celebration ensued.
Adderley got the start for the Dons, allowing one earned run and striking out three in five innings of work.
Offensively, Welch and Grady Wilson each had a pair of hits to lead Santa Barbara High.
The Dons will begin playoff competition next week in CIF-SS Division 3.
Dos Pueblos 12, Buena 5
The Chargers capped off the regular season with a Senior Day win over the Bulldogs.
Jesse Di Maggio hit for the cycle at the plate, driving in five runs and scoring two of his own in the dominant performance.
Meanwhile, Taylor Young, Aden Blaney and Sasha Holmes each collected a pair of base hits for Dos Pueblos. James Glanville and Jackson Dreesmann chipped in singles.
Derek Brunet got the start and turned in 3 2/3 strong innings, striking out five batters without allowing an earned run.
Following up Brunet were Naveen Mortenson, Jonny Rogers and Santiago Perez to put the finishing touches on the win.
The Chargers end the regular season with a 15-12-1 overall record and a 6-7-1 league mark.
Malibu 6, Carpinteria 2
The Warriors dropped the Citrus Coast finale to Malibu on Thursday.
Carpinteria held a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, but the Sharks broke out for five runs in the sixth to pull away and earn the win.
Gabe Martinez was on the bump for the Warriors, scattering five hits throughout his outing while striking out seven batters.
“Gabe showed some real guts in this one,” Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney said. “We came into the game with the possibility of playing as many as two ‘play in’ games on Friday if the standings ended in a tie.
“We had to extend him more than we would have liked in order to have pitchers for tomorrow.”
Martinez also provided an offensive spark, roping a double and scoring a run. Meanwhile, Isaac Flores tallied two hits that included an RBI single that drove home Judah Torres.
“The offense is scrappy and did a good job of getting on base,” Cooney said. “Once we had baserunners, the batters seemed to get a bit picky. Credit the Sharks pitcher for getting us into some bad counts.
“We either had off-balance swings or no swing at all in those key spots.”
The Warriors end the season in a tie for third place in the Citrus Coast League and will compete in the CIF playoffs.
“The loss today didn’t feel good but the players came a long way this season,” Cooney said. “They earned the playoff spot and will enjoy the bonus baseball.”
Before that, Carpinteria (7-8, 5-7 CCL) will host a non-league matchup against Villanova Prep on Saturday.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the seniors from both teams at Calderwood Field,” Cooney said.