-Editorial
The Águilas de Mexicali continued their preseason training on U.S. soil with an 8–1 victory over the Imperial Valley Baseball All-Stars on Oct. 10 at Elmer Belcher Field, as part of the 2025 Border Pro Classic hosted at Calexico High School.
Mexicali jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the second inning. Yadir Drake crossed the plate on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI single from Irving López and a two-run hit to center field by Cade Gotta. López added another RBI single in the third, extending the lead to 5–0. Additional runs came from hits by Antonio Castañeda, Jonathan Ornelas, and Ren Tachioka, pushing the score to 8–0.
The Imperial Valley squad avoided a shutout in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Leo Veliz, capping the night at 8–1.
Águilas pitchers David Reyes, Fernando Lozano, Yahir Gámez, Jesús Cruz, and Jake Sánchez combined for a strong performance, with Reyes delivering four scoreless innings.
Belcher Field, the longtime home of the Calexico High School Bulldogs, has deep baseball roots in the Imperial Valley. Renovated a decade ago, the field has hosted several championship runs for the Bulldogs and produced alumni who have gone on to play professionally, including for the Águilas de Mexicali. For Calexico — a city proud of its sports culture and baseball tradition that spans from Little League to high school — hosting this exhibition was a natural fit.
The region continues to show its strong baseball talent, with local athletes like Brawley native Sergio Romo, who became a three-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants, serving as an example of how major league teams can help elevate and inspire young players. Born in Brawley, part of the Imperial Valley near El Centro, Romo played a key role in the Giants’ championship years — pitching in the 2010 World Series, serving as the closer in 2012 and recording three saves during the team’s World Series sweep, and earning his third ring in 2014. His success demonstrates the potential of the Imperial Valley’s baseball community when supported by development opportunities and local pride.
The exhibition was part of Mexicali’s preseason tour ahead of the 2025–26 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico season, which begins Oct. 15 when the Águilas host the Charros de Jalisco at El Nido in Mexicali. The team will next face the Southern Winter League in San Luis Río Colorado this weekend.
