GRASS VALLEY, Calif. — The Gustine High School baseball team charged into the postseason with a dominant first-round victory but saw its playoff run come to an end with a close defeat in the Section Quarterfinals.

Entering the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, the Reds wasted no time showcasing their offensive firepower against No. 9 Golden Sierra in the opening round on May 6. Gustine exploded for eight runs in the first inning and never looked back, securing a commanding 14-0 shutout win.

Leading the charge was Alex Quezada, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, including an electrifying inside-the-park home run that fueled Gustine’s early scoring surge. Quezada also pitched two strong innings before handing the ball to Jake Campbell, who shut down Golden Sierra’s offense. Jack Campbell contributed with a stellar 4-for-4 performance, driving in three runs and adding a stolen base to the mix.

The game was capped off by a spectacular play from Avery Ethridge, who made a leaping catch in the fifth inning, sealing the Reds’ victory and sending them to the quarterfinals to face No. 1 seed Bear River.

The Reds took the field in Grass Valley on May 8, determined to pull off an upset. Despite a strong effort, Gustine ultimately fell short in a tightly contested 4-3 battle, ending their six-game winning streak and their postseason aspirations.

Standout performances included Mike Saaranzin, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and two stolen bases, continuing his impressive streak of swiping at least one base in five consecutive games.

Gustine’s loss to Bear River dropped their final season record to 18-6. Although their playoff run came to an end, the Reds’ dominant win over Golden Sierra and their resilience in the quarterfinal matchup underscored a season marked by strong performances and relentless determination.