The start of the season has been special for Mission Bay baseball. Coming off an encouraging 2024 season that saw the Buccaneers go 16-12, the second most wins the program has had in a season in a decade, Mission Bay has started this season 7-0 with a whopping plus-36 run differential. 

Mission Bay made sure to keep that hot start going last Friday, as they took care of business at home against Mater Dei Catholic, putting together an impressive 9-4 win over the visiting Crusaders.

The biggest reason for Mission Bay’s hot start lies with their pitching staff. Serving as the back of this team, through eight games this season, the Bucs’ pitching staff has posted a 1.13 ERA while hitting opposing hitters to a .177 batting average. 

That dominance continued when head coach Kenny Hood handed the ball to junior JJ Hicks. The righthander pitched a gem for Mission Bay, going six innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out one. 

Hicks needed 77 pitches to complete his start, induced a lot of soft contact, and generated four double plays against the Crusaders. He lowered his ERA to 0.64. 

While Hicks dominated on the mound, the Mission Bay offense added run support, scoring three runs in each of the first three innings. 

Doing a bulk of the damage offensively was big 6-foot-3-inch tall Van Playman. The senior would put together a 2-for-3 day, which included three RBIs and a double. 

Senior shortstop Kaden Jones reached base four times, going 1-for-1 with a single, three walks, and three runs scored. 

After putting together a solid junior campaign in 2024, in which Jones hit .278, the Buccaneers shortstop is batting .440 with a 1.040 OPS this season, thanks to a more disciplined approach at the plate. He has walked nine times this season.

In the top of the 9th, as Mater Dei scored two runs on three hits and two walks against reliever Kane Murray, but the righthander settled down and closed out the win. 

Mission Bay picked up another win this week against Otay Ranch on March 24, pushing their win streak to nine games and their overall record to 9-0. 

The undefeated Bucs will return to action this week with games on March 26 against West Hill and March 27 against Southwest High School. Rancho Buena Vista visits Mission Bay at 4 p.m. on March 31.