CIF Championships: Patrick Henry sweeps, eliminates Cathedral

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: May 27, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL
CIF-San Diego Section Championships

East County Sports.com

CARMEL HIGHLANDS — When the games came down to crunch time, Patrick Henry demonstrated superior hitting and pitching thanks to greater experience, gaining a berth to the Open Division championship contest for the second consecutive season.

The Patriots, the CIF Southern California runners-up last season, gained even more experience against elite competition by taking the consolation crown of the Boras Classic in Orange County — some call the event the unofficial state championship tournament.

On offense, Patrick Henry tallied 18 runs in Tuesday’s triumph over Cathedral Catholic, forcing a playoff final.

Then on Wednesday (May 27), the Patriots utilized better pitching to again take down the Dons, 5-2. They will meet Eastlake for the CIF-San Diego Section title on Saturday at USD’s Fowler Field. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Game highlights

Not that Cathedral Catholic was a roll-over. The Dons brought the potential game-tying run to the late with two down in the seventh inning.

However, the Patriots’ relief pitcher survive two foul all to gain a called third strike to register the victory.

Sal Gagliano gained the start, but only last two innings following his massive effort last weel. Thus, Waite followed, throwing the final fiveinnings, allowing just one run on five hits.

More importantly, Waite struck out eight Dons batters to dwell several budding rallies. Including were inning-ending K’s with runners on base in the third, fourth and sixth inning, then the game-decided in the seventh.

The only mistake was a leadoff home run to right by Dons starting first baseman Jose Partida, tying the contest at 2-all.

However, the Patriots answered with runs on their next two trips to the plate to ge-gain the advantage for keeps.

In the fifth, Gagliano was gifted what turned out to bethe game-winning run. After switching frm the mound to third base, Gagliano stroked a lead single, advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Jeremiah “Tico” Stepner.

Then, with two down, a ground ball off the bat of Ball 1, Strike was booted, allowing Gagliano to score an unearned run.

An inning later, the Patriots added two runs, with other segments of the batting order shining.

Parks Kronk-Hawley, Jayden Goldman, and Oliver Allen opened with consecutive singles to load the bases.

Gagliano capped the hit streak with a line single to center for a 4-2 lead. Cathedral Catholic followed by turning a double play, but another run scored because Stepner intentionally grounded a slow roller to the right side of the infield, forcing a throw to second base rather than the plate.

Early on, Patriots first baseman Jimmy Gunn posted two hits for two RBI, featuring a solo home run for a 2-1 lead in the third.

Cathedral Catholic closes with a 26-6 record. However, the Dons opened the season taking 18 of their first 19 games — the setback was to Helix — then closed with an 8-5 mark.

— Nick Pellegrino