St. John Bosco Edges Orange Lutheran in Pitchers' Duel

Braves score 3 runs in 7th inning to defeat top-ranked Lancers 4-1

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:50am

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In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top high school baseball teams in Southern California, No. 2 St. John Bosco defeated No. 1 Orange Lutheran 4-1 on Wednesday. The game featured a dominant pitching performance from both teams, with St. John Bosco's Julian Garcia striking out 10 batters and Orange Lutheran's Gary Morse fanning 8. The Braves broke a 1-1 tie in the 7th inning, scoring 3 runs on a wild pitch and an RBI single to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This Trinity League showdown between two powerhouse programs highlighted the strength of high school baseball in the region. The win for St. John Bosco, the defending CIF Southern Section Division 1 champions, solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the state and a contender for another title. For Orange Lutheran, the loss drops them to 0-2 in league play after entering the week ranked No. 1 in the area.

The details

St. John Bosco's Julian Garcia and Orange Lutheran's Gary Morse both delivered stellar outings on the mound, with both pitchers hitting 95 mph on the radar gun. Garcia struck out 10 batters and gave up just 2 hits, while Morse allowed 2 hits and 8 strikeouts over 6 innings. The game was tied 1-1 heading to the 7th, when the Braves loaded the bases with 2 outs. A wild pitch then allowed 2 runs to score, and James Clark followed with an RBI single to give St. John Bosco a 4-1 lead. Closer Jack Champlin came in to record the save for the Braves.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 under the lights at Hart Park.
  • The teams will conclude their 3-game series on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 1:30 pm at St. John Bosco.

The players

Julian Garcia

The starting pitcher for St. John Bosco, who struck out 10 batters and gave up just 2 hits in the win.

Gary Morse

The starting pitcher for Orange Lutheran, who struck out 8 batters and allowed 2 hits over 6 innings in the loss.

Jack Champlin

The closer for St. John Bosco who came in to record the save in the 7th inning.

James Clark

The St. John Bosco player who hit an RBI single in the 7th inning to give the Braves a 4-1 lead.

Ricardo Hurtado

The Orange Lutheran player who hit a leadoff home run in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Both pitchers were dominant tonight, and it was a great high school baseball game to watch.”

— Eric Sondheimer, Sports Reporter

What’s next

The teams will conclude their 3-game Trinity League series on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 1:30 pm at St. John Bosco's home field.

The takeaway

This hard-fought pitchers' duel between two of the top high school baseball programs in Southern California showcased the incredible talent and competitiveness at the prep level. The win for St. John Bosco solidifies their status as a top contender, while Orange Lutheran will look to bounce back in the second half of their league schedule.