Bellarmine Prep Bells

Bellarmine Prep Bells 2025: 17-14, 6-8 in WCAL, won the WCAL postseason tournament. CCS Division I qualifier. Coach: Nate Sutton.

In three days of last May, the Bells became the talk of the town and toppled the projected CCS brackets by winning road games against Saint Francis, Serra and Valley Christian in consecutive days to win the WCAL postseason tournament.

Suddenly, what was thought to be a scrappy effort in a rebuilding season became an achievement, something on which to build. And Nate Sutton is hopeful his Bells will bring that same kind of intensity into a new season.

Repeating last year's tournament run won't be an option. The WCAL won't hold its postseason tourney this year, meaning the Bells will have to work their magic during the regular season.

That's not out of the question. Bellarmine returns six starters, including senior first baseman Ollie McNamara, who hit .352 and senior catcher and third baseman Vincent Kim, who hit .292 with 15 RBI.

Senior shortstop Drew McClelland also return to lock down the infield, as does senior Nathan Chew. Junior Isaiah Beyah projects to be one of Bellarmine's outfielders.

The pitching graduated a solid rotation, but Preston Pera, who beat Serra in the WCAL tournament semifinals last year, pieced together a 4-3 record and 0.73 earned-run average as a sophomore.

Emmet Arnott became the first freshman to play varsity baseball at Bellarmine since the 1980s and was thrown into the deep end immediately by serving as the Bells' closer. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his first year of high school baseball.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 24 at Bear Creak of Stockton, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 at Buchanan of Clovis, 6 p.m.

Feb. 28 at Buchanan of Clovis, 11 a.m.

March 6 Jesuit of Sacramento, 3:30 p.m.

March 7 Oakridge of El Dorado Hills, 3:30 p.m.

March 10 Pioneer, 4 p.m.

March 12 Lincoln of San Jose, 4 p.m.

March 13 at San Lorenzo Valley, 4 p.m.

March 17 Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

March 18 Santa Cruz, 4 p.m.

March 20 at Valley Christian, 4 p.m.