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

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 11, 2026

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.

Eastern League
Madison 4, Christian 3
At Greenfield: In a three-game series to determine the Eastern Leage championship, the Madison Warhawks took Monday’s (May 11) opener after scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning to trim the Christian Patriots, 4-3.

The magic number for Madison (20-6 overall, 10-0 league) is sliced to one; Christian (, 9-1) must sweep the two remaining contest to claim the league crown.

The victory was Madison’s 392th under head coach Robert Lovato since 2005.

Game stuff

The Patriots were one out away from the win, but an error allowed the Warhawks to pull even on an unearned run.

The next batter, Leo Wilderman, then lined an RBI single to left field, bringing home William Barden with the go-ahead run.

Colin Gallagher then entered to pitch a 1-2-3 seventh to save the win for Austin Haffner.

The back-and-forth contest saw four lead changes. Christian scored in the first, Madison answered with a pair in the third, then the Patriots placed single markers in the fifth and sixth to re-claim the lead.

Xander Molina singled home Braeden Casey for a 1-0 lead. The Warhawks answered on a two-run home run to center by Harrison Brown.

Molina collected his second RBI on a grounder to shortstop, scoring Roman Gustin. Madison then fired the ball to third base for an unusual 6-3-5 double play, but since the play wasn’t;t a force out, Molina gets credited with an RBI.

Tied at 2-2, Christian’s final lead saw Walker Kane come home on a passed ball for a short-lived 3-2 lead.

Game Two in the series is Wednesday at Madison; the third game is back at Christian on Friday.

Avocado League
Ramona 7, Fallbrook 1
At Zeke Weaver Memorial Field, Fallbrook: While the Ramona Bulldogs are prepring to defend their CIF Division 4 championship[, the hostFallbrook Warriors need t look whichteam is catching them

Celler-dwelling Valley Center upset Bista for its first Avocado League of the season, giving them a shot at avoding last place and relegate the Warriors to the bottom.

Dawgs pitcher Alex Wilson tossed six stellar iunnings, allowing just fuve hits. Wilson struc out seven Warriors battersd, and the run was unearned.

Wilson was backed by a 14-hit attack, including a solo home run by Derek Taylor.’

The overall hitting leader was Cal Melendez, who batted 3-fr-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

— Nick Pellegrino