Valley Christian Warriors

Gone is what might have been the deepest pitching staff in all of California, all of them, six in all, pitching at the collegiate level, but don't feel bad for John Diatte or his Warriors.

The cupboard isn't empty at Valley Christian.

The Warriors return a handful of players from last year's squad, which had the bases loaded in the seventh inning but couldn't get the tying run across in the Central Coast Section-Division I championship game against WCAL rival Serra.

The 3-2 loss to the Padres and quick ouster from the NorCal tournament three days later ended Valley's season with a bitter taste, but it couldn't wash away all of the positives. The Warriors won 25 games and won two tournaments, including the All-Faith Classic in Las Vegas, where they beat Bishop Moeller of Cincinnati in the championship game.

A new slate comes with a new team, one that might more fully embrace the team concept, says senior first baseman Christian Navarez.

"I feel like we are a much closer team this year," Navarez said. "During the offseason, we focused more on building personal connections off the field. We all did our out thing during the winter, but the leaders have made it clear this spring is dedicated to our team. We have to start fresh from last season, but we've built a stronger team from the ground up."

The Warriors return five starters, including junior shortstop Colton Hadfield, a UCLA commit, who will likely double as Valley's top starting pitcher. Hadfield hit .243 with 23 hits and 17 RBI as a sophomore.

Senior first baseman Navarez, an All-WCAL performer a year ago, is coming off a season when he hit .347 with 26 hits and 19 runs scored. He also drove in 10 runs. Logan Mull, who played outfield last year, will move behind the plate in 2026. The Princeton commit hit .324 with 22 hits and 16 RBI.

Second baseman Nathan Choi brings a solid glove to the lineup and looks to improve on a .216 batting average a year ago. Diatte is touting outfielders Jacob Pauka and Alex Moutzouridis to step up and make contributions this season.

Hadfield, Gabe Felix and Rahul Patel will form a pitching rotation that has potential but lacks experience. They combined for one inning at the varsity level last year. Patel did go 3-3 in 26.2 innings at the junior varsity level in 2025.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 25 vs. Cardinal Newman at Santa Clara University, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 Scotts Valley, 11 a.m.

March 3 vs. Christopher at Hazlett tournament, Washinton Park, Santa Clara, 7 p.m.

March 5 Hazlett tournament, Washinton Park, Santa Clara, TBA

March 7 Hazlett tournament, Washinton Park, Santa Clara, TBA

March 10 Soquel, 4 p.m.

March 12 at Elk Grove, 3:30 p.m.

March 14 Palma, noon

March 17 at Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

March 20 Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

March 24 Serra, 4 p.m.

March 27 at Serra, 4 p.m.

April 2 Folsom, 3 p.m.

April 4 Carmel, noon

April 7 Salpointe Catholic of Tucson Arizona, 3 p.m.

April 8 Salpointe Catholic of Phoenix Arizona, TBA

April 9 at Valley Christian of Chandler Arizona, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Sacred Heart-Cathedral, 4 p.m.

April 17 Sacred Heart Cathedral, 4 p.m.

April 21 Saint Francis, 4 p.m.

April 24 at Saint Francis, 4 p.m.

April 28 at Riordan, 4 p.m.

May 1 Riordan, 4 p.m.

May 5 St. Ignatius Prep, 4 p.m.

May 8 at Saint Ignatius, Prep, 4 p.m.

May 12 at Mitty, 4 p.m.

May 15 Mitty, 4 p.m.