Notre Dame Baseball Rallies With Power Hitting in 9-7 Win

Knights overcome early deficit with home runs from Madrid and Trejo

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Notre Dame baseball team overcame an early deficit with a powerful offensive performance, led by home runs from Jacob Madrid and Troy Trejo, to defeat El Dorado 9-7 on Tuesday. Madrid hit two home runs and drove in four runs, while Trejo hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning to give Notre Dame the victory.

Why it matters

The win improves Notre Dame's record to 3-0 on the season, showcasing the team's offensive firepower despite being known more for its pitching. The high-scoring affair also highlights the competitiveness of high school baseball in the region, with both teams putting up big numbers at the plate.

The details

Notre Dame found itself in a slugfest with host El Dorado, but the Knights turned to their power hitters to pull out the win. Jacob Madrid hit two home runs and drove in four runs, while Troy Trejo broke a 7-7 tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning. AJ LaSota pitched 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief to secure the victory for Notre Dame.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Jacob Madrid

A power hitter for the Notre Dame baseball team who hit two home runs and drove in four runs in the 9-7 win over El Dorado.

Troy Trejo

A Notre Dame player who hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Knights the victory over El Dorado.

AJ LaSota

The Notre Dame pitcher who threw 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief to secure the win for the Knights.

Xavi Cadena

A player for El Dorado who hit a home run and drove in three runs in the losing effort.

Jared Grindlinger

The ace pitcher for Huntington Beach who threw four scoreless innings against Sierra Canyon before the Trailblazers rallied for the win.

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What they’re saying

“Notre Dame is supposed to rely on its pitching this season, but the Knights found themselves in a slugfest with host El Dorado and turned loose power hitters Jacob Madrid and Troy Trejo to pull out a 9-7 victory.”

— Eric Sondheimer, Author (latimes.com)

The takeaway

The high-scoring affair between Notre Dame and El Dorado showcases the offensive firepower and competitiveness of high school baseball in the region, with both teams putting up big numbers at the plate. Notre Dame's ability to rally with timely home runs from its power hitters underscores the team's offensive versatility beyond its vaunted pitching staff.