PREDICTIONS: Monrovia vs. Amat ...
I don't know if Freddie Robledo and his boys are just sandbagging, but there seems to be little belief on the westside that Monrovia can defend its title and take down Amat. It will be ace against ace on Saturday night when Eddie McKiernan and Maverick Olivares oppose each other in a game that will probably take only an hour to complete. Below you'll find the musings of those who have either covered or coached against both teams in Saturday's finals. I'd imagine Saturday's crowd is going to be huge as everyone in the Valley will head east for the showdown. 
I know, I know, it sucks to go all the way to Riverside to play a game that very easily could've been played locally with a lot less money spent on gas. But, just look at Saturday's game as the only good reason anyone could ever have to set foot in Riverside. Now, on to those predictions ... Aram Tolegian: "Amat scores only twice and Monrovia once. McKiernan is dominant, but so is Olivares. Both teams flash leather and do the little things, but Amat does them slightly better. I've said it all along, Amat is just top-to-bottom better than anybody in the SGV. That doesn't mean they can't be beat, but I've seen a lot of teams who have one or two great players, three good ones and the rest average. Amat is just good up and down - batting order, starters and bullpen. Plus, when you watch this team, you can tell Coach Andy Nieto has taught them well. They're fundamentally sound." Yes, I just quoted myself. Brian Baiotto: "I definitely think Bishop Amat is going to win because they've kind of been cruising through the playoffs. They're just too sound of a team. I just don't think McKiernan can beat them alone, as great as he is." If anybody should know, it's Northview coach Darren Murphy. He's played them both. Murphy: "That's a tough matchup. I like Bishop Amat's overall depth. They're better than people assume. When you see Amat, you know you can play with them, but you hope your kids aren't blown away with the Amat mystique. I like pitching in the playoffs, and Monrovia will be in it with McKiernan. The fact McKiernan has won a championship, and Amat hasn't, that's makes it a great game. Overall, though, I'd have to go with Amat's overall depth. You think they're beatable, but they find a way to pull out wins."
Here's the what the boys from the 'Dena think:
Fred J. Robledo: Will Monrovia start McKiernan and bring someone else in the seventh inning, or start Eddie in the second inning, and let him finish. I hope the latter is true. In any case, I've seen Monrovia and McKiernan enough to know that if Monrovia plays defense behind Eddie, they're going to win. I watched Monrovia commit three errors in McKiernan's only loss, a 4-3 setback earlier in the season against Northview. I watched the Cats self-destruct with six errors on Tuesday, but McKiernan came in the fourth inning and settled everything down, then threw shutout innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth to allow the Cat's to rally and pull out a miracle, 15-14 over Woodcrest Christian in the semis. I'll set the over/under at 2. If the Cats commit 2 errors or less, they win. Anything more than 2, and the Lancers walk away with the title.
Andrew Campa, Star-News correspondent "Bishop Amat," Campa said. "Amat is a division one team playing in division five. They've been the most consistent team in this division, and they breezed through a relatively tough Del Rey League. You like Monrovia's heart, but it can only take you so far."
Scott Galetti, Star-News staff writer: "Bishop Amat," Galetti said. "Eddie's only available for six innings, and once they get past him, I'm not sure if the rest of Monrovia's staff can hold Amat down. I witnessed a game where Amat scored ten runs after La Salle's starter went out earlier in the season. After seeing what happened without Eddie against Woodcrest Christian, I'd have to go with Amat."
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that post below sounds very gay, not me
We choked to SA Mo, and now I hate all you guys that are playing this saturday. Waa Waa Waa, I need more cheese with my whine, make that my 7 six pack. I need to drink more because I need to drown my misery..Waa Waa, where is that rope? I need to put that around my neck...Waa Waa..
yours truly, and only
NVfan
I WISH MONROVIA BEST OF LUCK TOMORROW. AND KUDOS IF THEY WIN. I KNOW SOME OF YOU WILL ROOT FOR DAVID TO SLAY GOLIATH, BUT IT'S GONNA TAKE MORE THAN ONE LUCKY SHOT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.
AMAT WILL SHINE. JUST SHINE BABY!
JOE AMAT
Let's do that and If Amat wins I'll give you guys some Kudo's but if they loose it will just prove my point even more. Ever since Amat cant seem to recruit the best Pomona has to offer in Football their name has gone down hill. Let's see if they can win a baseball championship.
Denaside,
Since we are mixing and matching sports, The last time Amat had a "straight up competition with Monrovia" was when Amat Boys Basketball knocked Monrovia and your boy Bryant Markson (Utah) out of the playoffs enroute to an Amat CIF Championship. That was after beating them up pretty good in a regular season game too.
If you insist on not talking baseball you can go back to the amat girls beating your Wildcats this season in girls basketball.
And BTW, Amat has a lifetime 2-1 advantage over Monrovia in football
How about we let the baseball do the talking?
The Last time Bishop Amat had a straight up commpetition with Monrovia was when they (Bishop Amat) Was ranked # 1 in football back in the 80's. The Press thought that the Monrovia game was going to be a push-over but when it came down to real true athletic ability Monrovia destroyed them and their EGO's....including the players that started on their team that were from Monrovia. So when it come right down to it I think that given the Odds of recruiting vs..straight up talent: Monrovia has the Edge. Discipline is something they both have but the abiility to take it too another level is something else. Monrovia 3-1 winner
PREDICTION:
AMAT 10 MONROVIA 2
THIS WILL BE A LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR THE LANCERS!
NVfan,
Sounds like like a little sour grapes talking there. Maybe you should stick your head back in another 4 or 5 six packs along with some Mescal and you can hallucinate you are at a championship game on Saturday instead of being at home wishing what could have been.
Confused in Covina,
Uh, whatcha talkin about??
Either someone posted under the name "AnyMouse" without authorization and it was deleted or you read a post from "Anonymous" and didnt realize thats not my writing...
AnyMouse...
Amat has all the pressure cause they are a D1 team and they have to win or face being embarrassed that that can't win a championship in DV. Monrovia just needs to relax and play ball and let the pressure eat them up. Eddie should start and let them have to press and play catch up. "Little ball Nieto" as he is being known will start to press and blow the game. What a joke that the "Power House Amat" has become the small ball school in DV.
Eddie, take control of our team and settle them down early. It's up to you to keep the game under controland give your team the hope it needs. Let them know you only need a couple of runs and their defense and you will bring home back to back titles.
northview is d4.
wow what a big difference. if Amat is so bad for being a d5 team what does that make Northview who lost to them?
Kudos to Amat and Eusebio. Finally an Asian making HS sport headlines in Mr. Eusebio. Who said Asians can't play ball?
Hey Aram, keep getting sick about it, i know you love the Bishop mercenaries. Not me i love the underdogs, who play in their local school and don't pay money to a school thinking is their ticket to the hall of fame. They should have fought a little harder to prevent CIF from moving them to div 5 but of course they didn't want that they need a banner to compete with the girls. Remember this is a school where the girls are better athletes.
Believe me Amat people do pound their chest everytime i meet one.
I'm getting sick and tired of all this Bishop Amat in Division V stuff. None of these kids or their coach are walking around acting like bad asses and pounding their chests. They're just taking care of business and they're doing it knowing full well people will be all over them if they lose and SOME people won't give them their due if they win. If you go watch these kids, concentrate on how they play the game and their demeanor on the field. I doubt you'll be trying to rain on their parade once you see them. Amat should be proud no matter what happens on Saturday.
MatlvsMeetwithBags,
Or whatever your screen name is...
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Sincerely,
AnyMouse...
What time is the game?
AnyMouse...
hey amat85, NICE NAME, WAY TO HIDE... hahahaha
Wow.. gonna be a fun one. Who can handle the pressure??? Monrovia, been there before, came out on top... Eddie Mac had the same sitch last year, had to leave game early b/c of pitching restriction. Don't think Amat has faced anyone like Eddie this season, Mav's a great kid and very good talent, but won't over power entire line up. Its' going to come down to who executes the small ball and plays D. I like the over under E count, if Monrovia doesn't give up any cheap runs, they look good. Whose gonna throw the 1 inning and can Monrovia get it done in that one. If Monrovia starts someone else and Amat doesn't score with top of line up, uh oh, Eddie walks to the mound with a whole heck of a lot of mo and adrenaline on his side. Amat's going to feel the pressure of everything to lose, how they handle it is obviously key... they'll talk about being fine, but I know a good deal of those kids, its' right there in the front of their heads and guts.. will they get it done. One things for sure, won't be an offensive showcase. Eddie's too much for that, Mav is too crafty. I see it 2-1 Monrovia (all on experience) - next year Amat will get it done.
Brady / Mav - Best of Luck
Eddie / Curtis - Best to You
amat is a private school that recruits player and should not even be playing right now (cuz they should have been put out the playoffs by another private school). Monrovia is a public school with doesn't. But im a m-town fan, so im bias, so i hope monrovia wins.
CIF brackets,
I do not believe anybody has said the LA's banners are worthless .They are great accomplishments by the students and they should be proud to hang them regardless of division. A championship is a reward for a long season of hard work. Yes you could say a division 1 championship rates higher than division 5 because of caliber of competition but that doesn't take anything away from it being a championship. Also the game has yet to be played so let's wait for the outcome before you start hanging anything on us be it a banner or if we lose,being the biggest choke artist this planet has ever seen which I am sure all the rodents out there will have a field day if that happens. In the long run no matter what we do it will always be looked at in a different light. so if we happen to have a great football season it will be because we bought the best players money could buy not because coaching and effort. But that is ok because we are used to it and all that really matters is that as LANCERS we stick together and are proud of it.
Amat easily in this one. Monrovia just knowing they are playing Bishop Amat is putting fear in their heads right now...That school name speaks for itself. I dont even see this game as being close.
ARAM
CANT WAIT FOR "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"
THE HITS WILL BE BIG!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this game will come down to defense. Maverick has given up 8 and 9 hits in his last two outings. I am sure he will be ready for the finals. He is sich a great competitor. Eddie has faced some decent line ups this HS season. The thing to remember Eddie has also faced some of the best line ups around during the fall and summer. Eddie also has faced many of the Amat hitters in the past and shut them down. I have players from both schools in our program but since I am an Amat alum I have to root for them. But I will root for Eddie and Curtis have good games also.
I think whoever blinks on defense will give away the championship.
Remember this is the same Monrovia team that beat Charter Oak 8-0 earlier in the Northview Tour.,so don't think they haven t beat any class teams this year.Its going to be a great Baseball game,and I mean that in the truest sense.
Amat Bloggers.... Just remember when football starts, all schools are put into the divisions by CIF... Right??
Amat I don't get it are Los Altos Football "lower Division" Championships "worthless" or worth "less" but your "lower Division" Baseball championship worth "more" because:
1) It's a different "sport"?
2) It's not "your" fault you're there?
You guys can not have it both ways can you?
Amat's Division 5 Championship is worth "less" than if they "earned" it against Division I or II teams. Be honest. Don't spin it any other way. You look ridiuculous trying to justify the "pressure" of winning. No slight against the kids all are fantastic players but Bishop Amat players didn't go to Amat to play against La Puente, Montclair Prep, Montebello and Co. in Div. 5? Don't believe it? Would Bishop Amat really jump for joy beating Verbum Dei for their "lower level Championship? How about St. Margaret's?
God I hope you guys win. Imagine if you don't.
I mean La Puente in the first round? I hear St. John the Baptist is looking for a game. What's next TEE BALL CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS !
Posted by: Former National Champions? at May 30, 2007 11:22 PM
NVfan,
Back when Northview faced amat what game were the teams playing then? slo-pitch? whiffle ball? over-the-line?
Here a little insight for everyone to evaluate
1. Monrovia leads with ERA 1.912/201 Ip's
2. Amat 2.333/216 Ip's
3. Monrovia team hitting .337
4. Amat .372
5. Mckierman ERA .924
6. Olivares ERA 1.566
7. Eusebio ERA 1.639
Pretty close match up if you look at the stats. One thing popped out that Amat only has two guys over .400 this year after dropping to D5 play. That doesn't look very good or some players may have let down or played downed due to competition. Most hitters get pumped up for better comp, so maybe Amat hitters will be ready for Eddie.
Good pitching usually beats good hitting. So you’ll just have to wait and see who comes to play.
Hey ANYRAT,
Monrovia is not going to touch what Maverick O. has to offer. McK will get racked he has not seen a lineup 1 thru 9 that can hit like this. From there what does Monrovia have in their Bully...nothing...Easy game for Amat. NV fan you lived on the edge and are still clinging to those 2 games that were won with the walkoff HR's but you failed and choked in the Semis. Looking ahead to CO was your downfall and remember Amat schooled your team early on and would destroy your team right now....
Perhaps you have never been to the UCR stadium in Riverside which is a nice place to view a championship game. Where in the SGV would there be a place large enough to hold the expected big crowd. Riverside is becoming a big baseball town with Riverside City College winning the state championship and UCR the champion of the big west beating out CSF,UCI,and CSLB for the title.
jeezus...Monrovia?
WTH are we doing in this division?
This game is already over.
NV didnt choke we were just playing real baseball not t-ball like Div5. Have nice drive to Cow Country, the worst part will be coming back thinking abuot what kind of excuses you will have and smelling like crap. Long drive
i once hit a hr off this kid... true story.
Hey NVFan,
pretty loud talk for a team that C H O K E D yesterday! OUT
Bishop who? Eddie is going to slams his fastball through little ball Nieto. What a great story that would be, little Eddie beating down the wannabe Div 1 school and all their mercenaries paying money to play sports. yeah don't give me that crap about education, you go to Bishop to play with the little ball because your son was an allstar in little league. If you win it remember that Div 5 champs have to drive to Riverside because you aint good enough to play at Dodger stadium, good night
amat is not scoring 7 off eddie. i give it a one run game going in favor of the team who plays small ball best and fields well. Both pitchers are great
who is on is the sgv all star rosters?
who is on is the sgv all star rosters?
Amat is in a class all by itself
Amat is in a class all by itself
Amat is in a class all by itself
Amat is in a class all by itself
Amat is in a class all by itself
Amat is in a class all by itself
There MATATMTPILDTTS.
Now repeat it enough times and we'll all believe it.
Hey try it in fooball and see if it still makes any sense.
That echo you hear is from a hollow championship..ship..shipp. shippp.shipp!
Mat,
If Amat allows 4 runs and Monrovia has McK on the mound for 6 innings that could spell trouble...
AnyMouse...
Amat is clearly in a class all by themselves. Anything can happen, this is baseball. Northview found out leading in the seventh that it aint over til it is over. Temple City was right there in the mix until their collape. Amat must play the entire game and not let errors be their down fall..I see Amat clearly winning 7-4.