CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE 

Conference play between Reedley College and the College of the Sequoias delivered three tightly contested games from March 3–7, with Reedley winning the series two games to one.

The matchup featured extra innings, a dramatic ninth-inning comeback, and strong pitching performances from both sides as the teams battled through a competitive Central Valley conference series.

March 3 – Reedley Drops 11-Inning Opener, 3–2

Reedley struck first in the second inning when Auston Sharp drove in a run with a single, followed by an RBI hit from Owen Lindstrom to give the Tigers a 2–0 lead.

Sequoias responded in the fifth inning. Hayden Elchlepp doubled home Kadyn Kirkley, and Walker Selley followed with an RBI single to tie the game 2–2.

From there, pitching dominated. Sequoias relievers Carson Hindmarsh, Zachery Tackett, and Chance Jasso combined to keep Reedley scoreless through the middle innings, but Reedley's pitching staff matched them inning for inning.

The game remained tied until the 11th inning, when Sequoias broke through. With runners on base, Kadyn Kirkley delivered a walk-off RBI single, scoring Joshua Barajas and giving the Giants a 3–2 extra-inning victory.

March 5 – Reedley Rallies Late to Win 7–6

Game two produced another dramatic finish as Reedley rallied in the ninth inning to defeat Sequoias 7–6.

Sequoias jumped out to a fast start, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second to build a 5–0 lead. Key hits from Walker Selley, Caleb Catalano, and Joshua Barajas fueled the early surge.

Reedley chipped away throughout the game. RBI hits from Christian Mendez and Ayden Oliveras in the fifth inning cut the deficit to 6–4.

Trailing by two entering the ninth, Reedley mounted its biggest rally of the game. Andrew Mora delivered a clutch two-run single to bring the Tigers within one. Moments later, Mendez lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Reedley then pushed across the winning run to complete the 7–6 comeback victory. Reliever Austin Salado earned the win after closing out the game.

Despite the loss, Sequoias finished with 11 hits, including a three-hit performance from Caleb Catalano.

March 7 – Reedley Secures Series with 6–4 Win

Reedley scored first in the second inning when Ricky Simental drove in a run on a groundout. Sequoias answered in the third with an RBI single from Hayden Elchlepp.

The teams traded runs through the middle innings before Reedley pulled ahead for good with a three-run seventh inning. RBI hits from Eli Garay and Jace Cortez, along with a sacrifice fly by Marc-Anthony Carroll, gave Reedley a 6–3 lead.

Sequoias managed one final run in the eighth on an RBI single from Kadyn Kirkley, but Reedley closer Giovanni Groppetti finished the game to secure the 6–4 win.

Reedley collected 10 hits, highlighted by a 3-for-3 performance with two doubles from Christian Mendez.

Series Highlights

• Series Result: Reedley wins series 2–1

• Closest Game: 11-inning opener decided by a walk-off single

• Top Offensive Performances

  • Christian Mendez (Reedley): Multiple-hit games and key RBIs in the comeback win

  • Caleb Catalano (Sequoias): Three hits in Game 2

  • Kadyn Kirkley (Sequoias): Walk-off RBI in the extra-inning opener

Across the three games, both teams demonstrated strong pitching and timely hitting, with two games decided in the final innings. Reedley's ability to rally late ultimately proved to be the difference in securing the conference series.