Top-ranked San Juan defeats Monticello to close regular season both teams on to playoffs

by Jackson Keyes
Contributing Writer
The state’s top-ranked 2A baseball team, the San Juan Broncos, rolled into Monticello on Friday, April 25 showcasing exactly why they hold that spot.
San Juan overpowered the Monticello Buckaroos with a dominant 13-3 victory. The Broncos displayed an efficient and aggressive approach at the plate, hammering out 13 hits.
The Broncos jumped on the scoreboard early, tallying two runs in the first inning. They quickly extended their lead with three more in the second, added one in the third, exploded for four in the fourth, and finished their scoring with three in the fifth.
Monticello battled to scratch across runs, scoring one in the second inning and two in the third, but were held scoreless in the other frames. The Buckaroos finished the game with three runs on six hits.
The San Juan offense was sparked by key contributors who delivered fireworks at the plate. Talon Mendoza had a monster day, going 3-for-4, driving in four runs, and launching a home run.
Jake Ivins also made a significant impact, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a towering home run. Jaiten Knight added another home run, while Nache Young ripped a triple.
Baylor Nielson earned the win on the mound for San Juan, allowing three earned runs on five hits, and striking out six in four innings.
Jackson Keyes got the starting nod for Monticello, pitching four innings. He allowed four earned runs on ten hits, walked three, and struck out six.
The Monticello bats did show signs of life. Triston Felix scattered a couple of hits including a double in the third inning. Cache Young also hit a double in the third, driving in Felix, and finished the day with two hits.
Jaeden Camacho continued his hot streak, smoking a triple into the gap and later scoring on a clutch two-out single by Camren Carpenter.
This contest marked the conclusion of the regular season for San Juan, who finished the year with an impressive 20-4 record. They’ve won eight games in a row heading into the postseason and 16 of their last 17.
The Buckaroos began the week ranked eighth in the 2A with a 7-8 record, and closed our their regular season with a region doubleheader against North Summit on Tuesday, April 29.
The Utah High School Activities Association will release the final standings and 2A state tournament bracket on Wednesday, April 30.
Prior to the game with Monticello, San Juan beat the Bayfield Wolverines 13-3 in a non-region matchup on Thursday, April 24.
Talon Mendoza was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, while Cooper Palmer was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Branten Bethea was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and one RBI.
Nache Young was also 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Jake Ivins drove in a run for San Juan on a triple and a double and was 2-for-4.
Baylor Nielson was 2-for-3, Jaiten Knight 2-4, and Remy Whatcott 1-for-1, all with one RBI apiece. Ivins got the win on the mound, allowing one earned run on two hits and eight strikeouts.
In a recent interview with the San Juan Record San Juan Head Coach Jens Nielson said the secret to the Broncos’ success this season has been excellent, consistent hitting and defense.
“It’s finally clicking,” he explained. “When you’re trying to get a program where it needs to be it takes several years and [the players for the first few years] are the foundation.
“These guys are understanding how to win ball games. They’re hitting a lot of home runs and understanding that they’re not forced; it’s just about being on time and finding the barrel, so they’re doing the little things right.
Nielson said the team this season isn’t necessarily more talented than the teams of the past few seasons, but the difference is that they’ve developed a toughness and a coachability that has made his job easier.
And they know they have a good chance to win it all.
“The 2A is always tough,” stated Nielson, “but we feel like we have the depth to get it done over any other team as far as pitching. If our guys are playing defense and hitting, we’re going to be really tough to beat.
“These boys are pretty pumped,” he continued. “They just don’t care who they face or how fast a pitcher throws. It’s just like, ‘Bring whoever. We’re ready.’”
San Juan will begin the 2025 2A Utah State Baseball Tournament at home this Saturday, May 3 while Monticello will play on the road, possibly in Blanding.