Broncos Baseball Captures CIF Championship in Open Division

See our Patch photo gallery of the title game. 

Winning has become a part of the tradition of Rancho Bernardo baseball. This year's version of the Bronco baseball machine lived up to that tradition, rolling through the Palomar League and into the CIF San Diego Section Open Division Finals.

After a 4-2 win over Granite Hills on Saturday, add yet another title to coach Sam Blalock's resume.

Broncos pitcher Casey Henderson tossed six strong innings, giving up only two earned runs. He had a no-hitter through the fourth. 

“I felt great and I knew I had to pitch my best because I know what it is like to a lose this game and it is not a good feeling,” Henderson told Pomerado News.

The Broncos lost to La Costa Canyon in 12 innings last season in the Division  II title game. 

Junior Alex Jackson got the scoring started for the Broncos, curling a solo home run off the right field foul pole in the first inning. Umpires debated whether it was a home run or a ground rule double, but eventually circled Jackson home for his 14th homer of the year. 

Jackson added an RBI single in the second inning.

“This is a very special group of guys,” Jackson told Pomerado News. “Not only because of the amazing talent level, but also because of the way we came together. We do so much outside of baseball and we are always together and we are always going to be really good friends. I am going to miss this group next year.”

For Blalock, it was the ultimate reward for yet another great season, and his seventh CIF title with Rancho Bernardo, and his third in four years. He had previously won four titles with Mt. Carmel.

“Before the season, I thought these were the two best teams in the county,” Blalock told U-T San Diego. “Winning never gets old, but it means a lot to win with this team. It’s a great group. And I have a great staff. We were able to uphold the RB tradition.”

The Broncos finished the year with a 30-5 record.