Archbishop Mitty Monarchs

Brian Yocke enters a new season in a unique situation, especially when you consider his team is just two years removed from a Central Coast Section championship.

"No position has been earned yet," he said in mid-January. "There's a lot to still be determined."

It's unlike a year ago when he went into a new season with a pretty good of idea of how his lineup would unfold and plenty of senior leadership to ensure the Monarchs would be competitive.

Still, not all plans come to fruition. By April, the bottom dropped out on Mitty's chances of a repeat. All-Peninsula shortstop Waylon Walsh suffered a thumb injury. Power-hitting first baseman Grayson Munoz sustained an ankle injury and pitcher Carson Seeger missed much of the year with a shoulder injury.

The Monarchs finished 13-16 and near the bottom of the West Catholic Athletic League. Their season ended with quick exits from the league and CCS tournaments.

The good news is a lot of young players were thrust into the lineup because of the injuries, but Mitty has plenty of question marks as it enters 2026.

"There are a lot of innings to fill and some big at-bats to replace," Yocke says. "It really is going to depend on if guys can step into important roles."

Derek Allen will fit somewhere in the middle of the lineup and will likely have a place in the pitching rotation. The junior hits .231 with four doubles last year. Third baseman Felix Chang returns after hitting .234 last season. Ethan Chase hit .243 and could fill a voice left by the graduation of catcher Cooper Salter.

Andres Lopez-Monsivais played second base last year but could take on a more utility role, Yocke said. He can play infield, outfield and do some catching, too.

A pitching rotation of Allen, Justin Humbert and Jay Kim could keep the Monarchs competitive. Allen threw just 2.1 innings and battled control issues, while Humbert 4-2 with a 3.63 earned-run average in 36 innings of work. Kim was 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA and 21 batters in 28 innings.

Help could be on the way with youngsters Elijan Kroenung, Kelen Johnson and Noah Fishman.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 24 vs. Leland at Milpitas Tournament, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 at Milpitas Tournament, TBA

Feb. 28 at Milpitas Tournament, TBA

March 2 vs. Hollister at Hazlett tournament, Santa Clara, 7 p.m.

March 4 at Hazlett tournament, Santa Clara, TBA

March 7 at Hazlett tournament, Santa Clara, TBA

March 10 The King's Academy, 4 p.m.

March 14 at Carlmont, 11 a.m.

March 17 at St. Ignatius Prep, 4 p.m.

March 20 St. Ignatius Prep, 4 p.m.

March 21 Burlingame, 11 a.m.

March 24 at Saint Francis, 4 p.m.

March 27 Saint Francis, 4 p.m.

March 28 Homestead, 11 a.m.

April 1 Menlo-Atherton, 4 p.m.

April 9 Santa Cruz, 3:30 p.m.

April 11 at Willow Glen, noon

April 14 Riordan, 4 p.m.

April 17 at Riordan, 4 p.m.

April 21 at Serra, 4 p.m.

April 24 Serra, 4 p.m.

April 28 at Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

May 1 Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

May 5 at Sacred Heart-Cathedral, 4 p.m.

May 8 Sacred Heart-Cathedral, 4 p.m.

May 12 Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

May 15 at Valley Christian, 4 p.m.