Lions’ Otero slams in 9-run 7th; Borrego clinches Manzanita

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 11, 2026

MORE TO COME

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

East County Sports.com

Non-League
Liberty Charter 14, Bonsall 9
At Pala Indian Reservation Rec Center: Liberty Charter sophomore right fielder Austin Otero belted a go-ahead rand slam in the top of the seventh inning, as the Lions scored a miraculous nine times in their final at-bat to shock the host Bonsall Legionnairs, 14-9, in non-league action on Monday (May 11).

Trailing 9-5 through six innings, the nine-run rally is the largest late comeback in the 13-year history of Lions baseball.

Liberty Charter (10-8 overall) was down to its final out when Asher Johnson grounded out, but a run scored to trim a 9-5 deficit to a one-run n, but Aiden Otero — the older brother — was hit by a pitch, then Travis Kraling walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases.

Austin Otero then tagged a 2-1 pitch for a line drive over the fence in center field and a 10-9 lead.

Liberty Charter added five more runs, coming on a passed ball, an RBI single from third baseman Isaac Anderson, who moved to pitcher in the home- half of the seventh. Anderson allowed a single, but then struck out the next three Bonsall batters.

Manzanita League
Borrego Springs 21, Julian 4
At Borrego Springs: The host Rams downed Julia
for the 10th straight tie, but more importantly, clinched the Manzanita League championship following Monday’s (May 11) 21-4 triumph.

Borrego Springs (13-4 overall, 7-0 league) still needs to play second-place Calipatria to end the season, but the Hornets suffered a second league setback last week, taking themselves out of the pennant chase.

It may not matter — the Rams captured the first meeting, 22-0, their second-highest run total of the season.