San Diego Section 1-A Baseball Championships : Julian, Borrego Springs Get Rare Chance to Win Title

Someone is going to end a drought when Julian and Borrego Springs high schools play for the San Diego Section 1-A baseball championship today.

Julian has not won a section title since 1981 and Borrego Springs has never won a section 1-A title in any sport.

“It would be nice to be the first ones,” said Miguel Bernal, a junior catcher for Borrego Springs who also covers the team for the Borrego Sun newspaper.

But if past performances are any indication, Borrego Springs will have to wait. Julian (17-6) defeated Borrego Springs, 7-0, early in the season. Borrego Springs (16-6) committed four errors behind right-handed pitcher Gil Perez (8-3), who will start at 3 p.m. today at Grossmont College.

Julian, the tournament’s top-seeded team, knocked off three-time defending champion Francis Parker in the semifinals. Julian will start left-hander Travis Small (10-2), who has an 80-m.p.h. fastball; he has thrown a no-hitter and three consecutive shutouts.

“He’s the guy we depend on when we need a big win,” Julian Coach Carl Forcaelli said.

Offensively, Julian is led by No. 9 hitter Danny Lopez, a center fielder who has hit .600 during his last five games, shortstop Kenny Tetter (.460, 4 home runs) and first baseman Woody Haynes (team leading 6 home runs and 26 RBIs).

Bernal said that Borrego Springs is not a power team like Julian.

“We’ll single you to death,” he said. “We’ll steal bases and move runners. We’re just a contact team.”

Perez leads Borrego Springs with two home runs, and center fielder Kevin Byszrwski (.425) has the only other home run. Other top players for Coach Steve Riehle’s team are first baseman Harry Dann (.360) and Bernal (.450).