Griffins open South Regional hosting L.A. Pierce Brahmas

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 27, 2025

Brahmas pitcher Patrick Fernandez / Courtesy, LAPC media relations

2025 GROSSMONT COLLEGE BASEBALL
3C2A South Regional

East County Sports.com

Sooth Regional: Friday, 2 p.m. GC vs. L.A. Pierce

SACRAMENTO – The Grossmont College baseball team, which finished the regular season ranked 8th in Southern California and 16th in the state, received a major break for the opening round of the 3C2S postseason tournament.

Not only did the Griffins (29-10 overall) gain the home-field advantage for the opening weekend’s best-of-3 first-round series, they will host a ballclub not even listed among the honorable mntin in the polls.

Grossmont will take on L.A. Pierce College of Woodland Hills. The Brahmas (baby bulls) went 22-17 this season, but the ballclub’s strength of schedule severely hampers their placement in the postseason bracket.

L.A. Pierce placed third in the North Division of the Western State Conference with a 16-8 record. But taking that ark from the overall record means the Brahmas only went 6-9 in non-conference contests — and against a far weaker slate of games.

Thus, Grossmont should either waltz into the second round — or could L.A. Pierce be a trap?

There is also a schedule chance.

Most series will begin on Saturday, but the Griffins will host Game 1 on Friday (May 2), with the series concluding (with one or two games) on Saturday. All will take place on-campus at Noel Michelson Field.

For the Brahmas, sophomore outfielder J.J. Torrente, leads the ballclub with a .410 batting average. The power hitter is freshman Jeremiah Jones with a .532 slugging percentage. Bothh are left-handed hitters,

When either reach base, look for RBI leader Christian Santiago, a shortstop, to drive them home. He is also a lefty.

The top pitcher is a late-bloomer in Patrick Fernandez, who is expected to be the series-opejning hurler.

Fernandez opened the season in the bullpen, but gained a starting berth by the WSC opener, posting a record of 4-1. Included was a complete-game victory over Oxnard last Thursday (Apr. 24).

The other main arm is Brayden Briscoe (6-2 record), who posted a 2.22 ERA and four saves.

The L.A. Pierce head coach is Bill Picketts, a former player at College of the Canyon, then played for the original Durt Bags club of Long Beach State in 1989, which advanced to the College World Series, then was drafted in the 12th round of the MLB Amateur Draft by the Oakland Athletics.

Grossmont won the state championship inn 2017.