Bonsall baseball begins

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The first-ever Bonsall High School baseball game was played March 1 at the Pala Sports Complex.

Although Bayfront Charter won that contest by a 21-2 score, the fact that Bonsall has started the Legionnaires' baseball program is more important to coach Danny Mencias – and to the rest of the team – than who won the first game.

"I think it's a victory already that we just got a team together, " Mencias said. "We were happy to score two runs."

Bonsall was held hitless until the sixth inning when four singles accounted for the Legionnaires' tallies. Ethaniel Bustos, who is a sophomore, singled for the program's first hit. He was advanced with a single by senior Garret Murphy, who was also Bonsall's starting pitcher. A single by senior David Romo scored Bustos for the first run in team history. Murphy scored when senior Isaac Alcantar singled.

Bayfront made a pitching change for the sixth inning. The four hits in that frame were Bonsall's only safeties of the game. "We started hitting off the second pitcher," Mencias said.

The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Bonsall Unified School District Superintendent Joseph Clevenger. Bonsall's starting catcher, Kaiden Crespin, is a sophomore.

Murphy pitched the first two innings. Alcantar hurled the third frame. Romo and senior Emil Watkins were both on the mound during the fourth inning. Jack Gates, a senior, pitched to the fifth-inning Sharks batters. Crespin faced the Sharks hitters in the sixth and seventh innings.

Mencias noted that the use of six pitchers reflects his desire to provide his players with mound experience rather than removing them for ineffectiveness. "I want them to try it out more than anything, just get the feel for it," he said.

Murphy held the Sharks scoreless in the first inning and surrendered one run in the second. Bayfront Charter scored three runs in the third, five in the fourth, four in the fifth, five in the sixth, and three in the seventh.

"This is kind of our building block now," Mencias said of Bonsall's first game. "We haven't really had the time to work together. "

Bayfront Charter has five years of baseball history. The Sharks were in the 2021 CIF playoffs. "We were given a tough team to play against. Our guys knew that," Mencias said.

The Bonsall players didn't necessarily know the fundamentals of baseball. "A lot of these players have never played, " Mencias said. "Some of them played back when they were in Little League. "

Some of the players participated in Bonsall High School basketball or soccer, and those seasons overlapped the beginning of baseball practice. "I had to literally wait until their season was over to practice, " Mencias said.

"It's a challenge, " Mencias said. "They're making it happen. "

The team has 19 players. "I enjoy the enthusiasm, " Mencias said. "They're out there. They're willing to learn."

Mencias noted that players on some teams are on the squad due to their parents' desire rather than their own. "They're out there on their own free will," Mencias said. "This is really good. "

The Bonsall parents were active in attending the season opener. "We had a lot of family support, " Mencias said.

Players' friends also attended the game. "It was a great turnout, " Mencias said.

Mencias' own family is also contributing. In addition to his son playing on the team, his brother Sam is a volunteer pitching coach as is Paul Latimer. Danny Costa is a co-coach. "Everybody was willing to share their love (of baseball), to share their knowledge, " Mencias said.

"I'm more than happy to give them a real-life experience," Mencias said. "Regardless of what happens, it's a great game to play every day."

Mencias played on the Rancho Buena Vista High School junior varsity baseball team, although an injury prevented him from varsity action with the Longhorns. He subsequently played adult league baseball.

"It's more giving back, that's what I want to instill in players, " Mencias said.

"I want them to really enjoy the game," Mencias said. "I just want them to love it."

Mencias added that he wants the players to learn about baseball and that he wants to teach what he would like the players to know and appreciate. "It's a great environment. I'm really loving the environment, " he said.

The success in that was not reflected in the March 1 score. "They're just so enthusiastic, " Mencias said. "It's a great group of guys."

Mencias noticed the players themselves encouraging their teammates to improve. "As a team, as a unit, they pressured one another," he said. "It's just a team that came together."

In addition to the coaches, Clevenger, Bonsall High School Athletic Director Andrea Breuninger and the Pala tribe, which is not charging the high school for the use of the Pala Sports Complex, have allowed the initiation of Bonsall High School baseball. "This is a collaborative right here, " Mencias said.

"Every little thing fell into place, " Mencias said. "This is meant to be. It's incredible."