Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LONG BEACH — The undefeated Ganesha baseball team cemented its place in history by winning the CIF Southern Section Division 7 championship game Friday with a 7-0 victory over Fillmore at Blair Field.
It is the school’s first CIF-SS baseball title.
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez, center, celebrates with Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Jorge Solares, center, of Ganesha celebrates with teammates after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Jorge Solares, center, of Ganesha celebrates with teammates after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha reacts after a three run triple against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez, center, of Ganesha celebrates with teammates after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Anthony Keller #33 of Ganesha is tagged out by catcher Ivan Becerra #21 Fillmore at home plate in the sixth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Thomas Giandomenico # 3 scores on a triple by Gabriel Smith (not pictured) of Ganesha against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Jorge Solares, center, of Ganesha celebrates with teammates after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha reacts after a three run triple against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha reacts after a three run triple against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isaac Andrade #27 scores on a triple by Gabriel Smith (not pictured) of Ganesha against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ganesha celebrates after defeating Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Thomas Giandomenico # 3 celebrates with teammates after scoring on a triple by Gabriel Smith (not pictured) of Ganesha against Fillmore in the fourth inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bryce McAninch #13 of Ganesha steals third base as third baseman Jacob Munoz #1 of Fillmore waits for the throw in the third inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha scores against Fillmore in the third inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Jorge Solares #85 of Ganesha drops the ball as Santiago Avila #11 of Fillmore is safe at first base in the seventh inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ganesha bench looks on against Fillmore in the first inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriel Smith #15 of Ganesha celebrates with teammates after scoring against Fillmore in the third inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting Pitcher Ivan Becerta #21 of Fillmore throws to the plate against Ganesha in the first inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Gavin Moran #24 of Ganesha throws to the plate against Fillmore in the first inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Jorge Solares #85 of Ganesha drops the ball as Santiago Avila #11 of Fillmore is safe at first base in the seventh inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
First baseman Victor Garcia #26 of Ganesha can’t reach a foul pop up against Fillmore in the second inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
First baseman Victor Garcia #26 of Ganesha reacts after digging out the throw for the out against Fillmore to end the second inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
First baseman Victor Garcia #26 of Ganesha reacts as he digs out the throw for the out against Fillmore to end the second inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bryce McAninch #13 Ganesha is out at first base as first baseman Jarod Uriel #8 of Fillmore makes the play in the first inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Adrian Lopez #14 of Ganesha holds up the championship plaque as Ganesha defeated Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
First baseman Victor Garcia #26 of Ganesha makes the play on Matt Magna # 5 of Fillmore in the first inning of a CIF-SS Division 7 championship baseball game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Giants’ Gabe Smith punctuated a five-run fourth inning with a bases-clearing triple that gave them a 5-0 lead. The pitching of Gavin Moran, Brandon Gutierrez and Jorge Solares did the rest, limiting the Flashes (17-15) to just two hits.
Ganesha won its last four playoff games by shutout.
“It always starts with pitching for us,” Ganesha coach Tony Green said. “Our pitching has been good all year and they were good today. We always go by committee and all three of them did a real good job. And then we put together our offense by staying under control. Sometimes it isn’t always great, but we wait until it starts clicking, and go from there.”
That’s it, Ganesha beats Fillmore 7-0 to win the CIF-SS Division 7 championship, completing an undefeated season and first title in school history pic.twitter.com/hNYSf8pz3A
Smith, who finished with three hits, four RBIs and scored twice, said the Giants were patient and pounced when the opportunity came.
“It’s amazing, you dream of this,” Smith said. “We’ve got an amazing team. We just wanted to be ourselves and not do too much, and it paid off.”
Ganesha improved to 18-0 and will continue its season in the CIF State Southern California Regional playoffs that begin May 30. The pairings will be released May 28.
Giants senior Adrian Lopez, a Long Beach State signee, finished with a double, two hits and two RBIs. Catcher Isaiah Ibarra, a USC commit, was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and Thomas Giandomenico was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
The Giants’ run production was amazing all season. They scored 253 runs in all, and 55 runs in five playoff games.
Still, they had to remain patient Friday before breaking it opens with five runs in the fourth inning.
“Once we get one, all of them start rolling in,” Ibarra said. “That’s the goal when we’re out there playing and we got the win. There’s no feeling like it (winning a championship), and to win with these guys means a lot.”
Lopez got to win on the title on the field he will play on next season for Long Beach State. He said the Giants’ dominant offense shouldn’t overshadow the contributions made by team’s pitchers.
The Giants allowed only 14 runs in 18 games.
“Our pitching staff has been great all season, we all knew that,” Lopez said. “They’ve been grinding it out, inning after inning, competing, and keeping us in ball games. Without a doubt we have confidence in those guys.”
This season was a remarkable turnaround for the Giants, who were 10-12 a year ago.
The Giants got a boost this season from an influx of transfers, a situation that brought a lot of attention to the school’s online-school program. Ganesha’s roster this season included 26 new players with roughly 20 transfers, with most of them enrolled in the online program that requires them to be on the school’s campus only for testing.
For Green, in his 10th season at the helm, winning the first CIF-SS trophy was special.
“That’s an awesome feeling, that’s always going to be a great feeling,” Green said. “I waited a long time for it, but it has nothing to do with me. The guys worked hard every single day and they earned it on the field.”
Ganesha had just one hit through two innings. Smith smacked a one-out single and later scored on Lopez’s fly out for a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
The Giants’ big rally came in the fourth.
After Adrian Cedeno earned a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0, Smith followed with a triple to left-center to clear the bases and make it 5-0.
Smith drove in his fourth run in the seventh with a single to left that scored Ibarra for a 7-0 lead.
Ganesha’s Gabe Smith finished with a triple, three hits and four RBIs in the Giants’ 7-0 win over Fillmore for the D7 title pic.twitter.com/0UCAp7iWwl
Ganesha’s Adrian Lopez, a Long Beach State commit, talked about winning the championship at Blair Field, where he will be a freshman next fall. pic.twitter.com/9hnDVTNRxQ
Ganesha baseball coach Tony Green wins his first title after 10 years at the school, he talks about the Giants’ undefeated season after beating Fillmore 7-0 for the D7 title. pic.twitter.com/ckDxfOx9iC
