The Yucaipa Thunderbirds are taking a road trip to challenge the Citrus Valley Blackhawks at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The last three games Yucaipa has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
Yucaipa played in-conference for the first time on Saturday and got just the result they were looking for. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Cajon, sneaking past 7-6. The game was the first time the Thunderbirds have beaten the Cowboys on their field since April 17, 2024.
Xavier Romero
| 03/18/26 @ San Dimas | 2 |
| 03/06/26 vs Kaiser | 1 |
| 02/27/26 @ Los Alamitos | 1 |
| 02/21/26 @ Vista Murrieta | 1 |
Xavier Romero made a big impact no matter where he played. He tossed 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Yucaipa is 4-2 when he allows at most one walk, but 3-6 otherwise. Romero was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, Yucaipa let Jason Franco and Zach Scribner run wild. Franco went 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI, while Scribner went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run. That's the most hits Franco has posted since back in February.
Citrus Valley not only won on Saturday, but they posted their biggest win since April 26, 2025 (when they won 14-0). They blew past Redlands East Valley 11-1. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Blackhawks considering their two-run performance the matchup before.
Jacob Caldera spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered a run (which was unearned) on three hits and racked up 15 Ks. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Tristan Garcia-Rojas and Nathan Castillo did most of the damage at the plate: Garcia-Rojas went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run, while Castillo got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs and one RBI. Nathan Reyes also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Citrus Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .382. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Yucaipa's record is now 7-8. As for Citrus Valley, their record now sits at 4-10.
Yucaipa couldn't quite finish off Citrus Valley in their previous meeting back in April of 2025 and fell 14-12. Can the Thunderbirds avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
