Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now.
Two seasons ago, the Granada Hills Charter baseball team was ahead of schedule. A roster filled with standout juniors went 19-4 en route to a West Vally League title, capturing the program’s first league crown since 1999 when it was in the North Valley League.
The Highlanders received the No. 1 seed in the City Section Open Division playoffs in 2021, but were bounced in the opening round.
Last season, that same crop of talented juniors were seniors, and yet again, Granada Hills forged a successful campaign, winning 23 games and winning a second straight league championship.
But it happened again. The Highlanders were bounced from the opening round, culminating a two-year run with two league titles and earning a No. 1 seed in the City’s top division and no postseason success to show for it.
“Those teams were very talented, great players, great hitters,” Granada Hills coach Matt Matuszak said. “But this team is buying into the culture.”
The team Matuszak is talking about is the 2023 edition of the Granada Hills baseball team that’s off to a surprising 12-3 start and an unexpected 6-0 start in the West Valley League.
Matuszak believes senior Miles Ortiz is the reason why the Highlanders are experiencing success for a third straight season when nobody else saw it coming.
“Miles is the guy nobody really talks about,” Matuszak said. “He’s Mr. Everything for us. He is our glue guy. He’s the best leader I’ve ever coached.”
Ortiz epitomizes the attitude every coach dreams of. He raises his hand for every challenge and does whatever the team needs. He played outfield as a sophomore, second base as a junior, and now he’s the man in the middle at shortstop for the Highlanders’ defense.
“He made his first error in 66 attempts on Tuesday against Birmingham,” Matuszak said. “That’s hard to do at any level. He’s like Derek Jeter, he may not always have the best numbers, but he’s Mr. Intangible.”
Ortiz, along with fellow seniors Andrew Cuervo at first base, Nate Isidro at third base and Rick Serrano, a utility player, are the foundational leaders of the team that seem to be making a big difference by way of small nuances.
“They trust the process, and instill that into their teammates,” he said. “They buy into doing the little things every day, playing for the guy next to you, and finding ways to win games we shouldn’t.”
Related Articles
Daily News Girls Athlete of the Week: Amber Rivas, El Camino Real
Valley Torah boys basketball wins Jewish national tournament for second consecutive year
Softball notebook: Notre Dame’s Ella Parker, Oaks Christian’s Rylee McCoy having stellar seasons
Daily News Boys Athlete of the Week: Easton Hawk, Granada Hills
CIF-SS boys volleyball polls, March 27
In addition to the leadership, Granada Hills junior Easton Hawk possesses tremendous talent from the plate and mound. Junior Jackson Lyons has been stellar at the lead-off spot. Pitcher Jack Nelson has been pivotal in relief, and sophomore Valencio Valadez has emerged as one of the bullpen’s best arms after being called up from the junior varsity team.
There’s something different about the Highlanders this year, and maybe, this crop of seniors – led by Ortiz – will have something to show for it at year’s end. Maybe even at Dodger Stadium.
“Miles doesn’t let the team take reps off, he won’t let the guys slack off, and I think all that will matter in big games later this year,” Matuszak said.