Mater Dei Slips Past Fountain Valley in Tight 5-4 Quarterfinal Battle (2025)

Santa Ana – Monarch Field

Despite out-hitting Mater Dei 8 to 4, Fountain Valley came up just short on Tuesday afternoon, falling 5-4 in a hard-fought CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinal matchup. The Monarchs capitalized on a few key moments and a sixth-inning rally to edge past the Barons and punch their ticket to the semifinals.

Fountain Valley came out swinging early. After Tyler Peshke was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, Josh Grack launched a deep triple that cleared the bases and gave the Barons a quick 3-0 advantage in the top of the first. They tacked on another in the second when Tony Zamora blasted a solo home run to left field, giving the Barons a commanding 4-1 lead.

But Mater Dei chipped away. A Fountain Valley error in the bottom of the third allowed Ezekiel Lara to reach base and eventually come around to score, cutting the lead to 4-2. The Barons held that lead into the sixth, but the Monarchs mounted one final charge. Brady Guth grounded out to bring home one run, and an error at first base extended the inning and tied the game. Moments later, Lawson Olmstead ripped a single into left to plate the go-ahead run.

The Barons had no answer in the top of the seventh, and the Monarchs closed it out to seal the win.

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Pitching

Josh Grack got the start for Fountain Valley, going 3.0 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, walking two and striking out one. Logan Hunt followed in relief, tossing three innings of two-hit ball while also surrendering three runs (two earned) and fanning two. Grack was charged with the loss.

Landon Gordon earned the win for Mater Dei, delivering a strong six-inning performance in relief, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out two. Brandon Thomas locked down the save.

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Batting

The Barons pounded out eight hits, led by two apiece from Zamora, Michael Patterson, and Ethan Cortez. Grack’s first-inning triple drove in two runs, and Zamora’s solo homer in the second capped a productive stretch.

Mater Dei had just four hits but made them count. Olmstead drove in what proved to be the winning run and finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. Dylan Wetzel, Guth, and Bradley Beaudreau each brought in a run as well.

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What’s next

The Barons’ season comes to a close after an impressive playoff run, falling one win short of the CIF-SS finals. For Mater Dei, the win sends them into the championship against West Ranch High School, where they’ll look to continue their momentum in pursuit of a Division 2 title.