PHOTOS: Memorable weekend for three teams and Anaheim pitcher makes history

Anaheim senior Jillian Albayati fires a pitch in Saturday’s championship game. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).

Analysis of the CIF finals at Cal State Fullerton.

It was a weekend to remember at the CIF baseball championships at Cal State Fullerton.

The energy in Goodwin Field was off the charts, the stands were packed and there were some very entertaining baseball games. And yes, the concession stands had plenty of happy customers.

JSerra, Estancia and Tesoro baseball teams all made history by winning their first CIF titles, much to the delight of their alumni.

And one player, Anaheim senior Jillian Albayati, made history by becoming the first female to start on the mound at a CIF high school championship game. Albayati didn’t disappoint, pitching nine innings in the Colonists’ 2-1 loss to Estancia in 11 innings. She also drove in Anaheim’s only run with a base hit. Albayati finished the game playing first base and made her school and community proud.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Albayati came in to the game with an 11-0 record and had earned the plaudits of opposing coaches, including Segerstrom’s Erasmo Ramirez. His team faced her in a nonleague game at Angel Stadium.

On Saturday, she earned more well deserved kudos from Estancia Coach Nate Goellrich and the Eagle players, including starting pitcher Andrew Mits, who was 1 for 3 at the plate against her.

“I have so much respect for her,” Mits said. “She came out and she shut us down for a while. She’s a great pitcher and she put so much heart and energy and we knew she was going to do her thing that she’s been doing all year.”

After the game, Albayati was gracious in defeat, credited her teammates and looked toward the future, indicating she hopes to earn a college scholarship next season.

What a weekend.

CIF PLAYOFF STORIES AND PHOTO GALLERIES

JSerra captures first CIF title with win over Notre Dame

Estancia defeats Anaheim in historic title game

Tesoro tops Fullerton 3-0 to win first crown

All the CIF championship game final scores

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com