May 18, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Santa Margarita seniors help Trinity League win, but memories of CIF title stand out

Santa Margarita Eagles who participated in the Ryan Lemmon Showcase were Spencer Edwards (No. 11), Aaron LaMont (No. 7) and Alex Schrier. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Life has been pretty good for Santa Margarita’s baseball team ever since the Eagles captured the CIF Division 2 title last month at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s kind of been a whirlwind,” said Santa Margarita Coach Chris Malec after leading the Trinity League to an 8-5 victory over the Sunset League in the Ryan Lemmon Showcase Sunday. “These guys have been jumping around to all the different graduations and festivities and enjoying the moment. The kids are so busy right now but for us it’s been a lot of fun just being able to soak it all in and enjoy that.”

Malec will eventually get the team ready to defend its title. But for now, there are some tasks that need to be completed, he said.

“We’re trying to slowly piece together and finish out some of the process for this season with some exit meetings and then start to think about what are the things we have to do to keep getting the kids better on a daily basis,” he said.

Santa Margarita was represented in the showcase by infielder Aaron LaMont, pitcher-outfielder Alex Schrier and pitcher-outfielder Spencer Edwards, who all contributed toward the victory Sunday at the Great Park Baseball Complex.

MaMont said and the other two Santa Margarita all-stars he enjoyed the game on Sunday but will always remember that Saturday in May when the Eagles took the CIF title.

“It was definitely one of the best days of my life,” he said. “Winning that with all the boys was unbelievable. We hadn’t made playoffs my entire time at SM so all the dreams of the past four years just came to life.”

LaMont said he will be attending University of Miami to study biology.

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

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