A Program Built Over Time

When future South El Monte students look back at the history of Eagles baseball, they will remember the 2026 team for its victories, championships, and historic playoff run. But those who were part of the journey know the story is much bigger than a single season.

The success South El Monte baseball enjoys today was not built overnight. It was built through years of hard work, countless hours of practice, difficult losses, player development, and a commitment to doing the little things right. It was built by players who bought into a vision and coaches who challenged them to be their best.

The result has been the most successful era in South El Monte baseball history.

Over the past four years, the Eagles have compiled an impressive 73-42 overall record while going 12-4 in CIF playoff games. During that stretch, the program reached milestones that once seemed out of reach. The Eagles made their first playoff appearance in five years in 2023. In 2024, they captured their first league championship since 2016, reached the CIF Finals, set a school record with 22 wins, and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in school history.

Instead of being satisfied, the Eagles kept pushing forward.

They followed that season with another league championship in 2025 before completing an incredible three-peat in 2026. Along the way, they reached their second CIF Finals appearance in three years, qualified for the state playoffs once again, and became the first South El Monte baseball team ever to advance to the CIF State Semifinals.

For many programs, these accomplishments would represent a dream season. For South El Monte, they have become the new standard.

From Dream to Reality

The journey from hopeful contender to championship program was not always easy.

There were practices under the hot Southern California sun. There were early morning workouts, long bus rides, tough losses, and moments when things did not go according to plan. There were times when players had to trust the process even when the results were not immediately visible.

Perhaps most importantly, there were people outside the program who doubted what the Eagles could accomplish.

Those doubts became motivation.

Sophomore standout Anthony Mata remembers hearing those criticisms before the season began.

“What I’m most proud of is making it to the finals with this team,” Mata said. “I had people telling me we weren’t going to be good, we wouldn’t win league, and just to prove them wrong is a good feeling.”

The Eagles responded the only way they knew how—by continuing to work.

Game after game, inning after inning, they built another championship season.

The success did not come from one player, one coach, or one moment. It came from an entire group of student-athletes who shared a common goal and refused to let outside opinions define them.

Success Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Head Coach Michael Gonzales has been at the center of the program’s rise, but he is the first to point out that championships are earned through daily habits.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” Gonzales said. “We have been going at it for four years now, and the players know what kind of program we run. It helps when the players lead, and that shows with this group.”

That emphasis on player leadership has become one of the defining characteristics of South El Monte baseball.

While talent is important, the Eagles have built their identity around fundamentals, discipline, and teamwork.

“We focus on the small stuff, and it shows up in big moments,” Gonzales explained. “I preach ball in play and small ball. When we make teams play catch and keep the pressure on, we have been successful.”

That philosophy has helped transform South El Monte into one of the most respected programs in the area.

Instead of relying on flashy plays or individual stars, the Eagles built their success through consistent execution. They trusted one another. They competed for one another. And when pressure situations arrived, they were prepared.

The Players Behind the Success

Every championship team has talented players, but what separated this year’s Eagles was the combination of leadership, resilience, and selflessness throughout the roster.

Senior Gabriel Canchola emerged as one of the team’s biggest difference makers. A dominant two-way player, Canchola finished the season with a perfect 7-0 record on the mound while batting .402 at the plate.

“Gabriel is an absolute game changer when he is healthy,” Gonzales said. “Being a two-way guy has doubled his value. We know when he has the ball we will have a chance to win the game.”

Canchola’s favorite memory came during a standout performance against Norwalk.

“I went three for four with two doubles, a single, and I threw a shutout,” Canchola said. “I was really proud of that performance.”

Yet when discussing the season, Canchola focused less on statistics and more on the team’s legacy.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “We’re the people that brought this team this far and we’re part of it. We can tell our kids that stuff.”

That sense of pride could be felt throughout the roster.

For Riley Leon, one of the defining moments came during a dramatic victory against Marshall that secured another league championship.

“We were down, but we didn’t let that get in the way of our goal for 3x league champs,” Leon said. “I’ll never forget the go-ahead grand slam in extras.”

Leon’s season was about more than memorable moments. After being asked to take on a new role at shortstop, he embraced the challenge and became a stabilizing presence in the middle of the field.

“Riley is the reason why we have stability up the middle,” Gonzales said. “He was able to learn from some early mistakes and has solidified himself as a shortstop in this program.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Anthony Mata established himself as one of the brightest young players in the program.

Mata led the team in innings pitched and strikeouts, shut down opposing running games from behind the plate, and broke the school’s single-season record with 27 runs scored.

“As a sophomore, he has a very bright future ahead of him in baseball,” Gonzales said.

The Eagles also benefited from the leadership of captain Emiliano Gonzales, a four-year varsity starter who has witnessed nearly every step of the program’s transformation.

Gonzales holds the school record for doubles in a season with 14 and helped establish the culture that younger players now inherit.

“He’s one of our captains and does a good job with that,” Coach Gonzales said. “He works hard and is a great kid.”

Together, these players represented different roles, different personalities, and different paths to success. But they all shared a commitment to the team.

More Than Baseball

While wins and championships will always be remembered, the lessons learned along the way may be even more valuable.

Mata believes trust was one of the team’s greatest strengths.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust one another and remember it will be a 9-vs-1,” he said. “All those hard practices got us to the finals.”

For Leon, the season reinforced the importance of learning from mistakes.

“You cannot change your past, but you can learn from your mistakes and work hard to become better,” he said.

Canchola’s biggest takeaway centered on confidence.

“The biggest lesson I learned from my coaches was to believe in myself,” he said.

Those lessons extend far beyond baseball.

The ability to trust teammates, overcome adversity, learn from failure, and believe in yourself are skills that will continue to serve these student-athletes long after their playing days are over.

The Staff Behind the Program

No successful program is built alone.

While players take the field, a dedicated coaching staff works behind the scenes to help prepare them for success.

Assistant coaches Carlos Orozco, Greg Banuelos, Guy Lopez, and Horacio Junior Manzano all played important roles throughout the season.

According to Coach Gonzales, one of the strengths of the staff is its willingness to communicate and collaborate.

“Our staff has been amazing,” Gonzales said. “We don’t always agree, but we hear each other out and are good with each other’s decisions.”

Gonzales specifically praised Coach Guy Lopez for helping keep players focused and prepared throughout the year.

That collaboration helped create an environment where players could continue developing both on and off the field.

Leaving a Legacy

The 2026 Eagles will be remembered for their accomplishments, but their true impact may be measured by what comes next.

Future South El Monte players will walk into a program with higher expectations than ever before.

They will see banners hanging on the walls. They will hear stories about league championships, CIF Finals appearances, and state playoff runs.

They will know that success is possible because a group of players proved it.

More importantly, they will inherit a culture built on accountability, hard work, trust, and resilience.

That culture is now part of South El Monte baseball.

A Place in School History

Years from now, the scores and statistics may begin to fade. The memories, however, will remain.

Players will remember championship celebrations, bus rides with teammates, long practices, and unforgettable playoff games. They will remember overcoming adversity, proving doubters wrong, and accomplishing things no South El Monte baseball team had accomplished before.

Most of all, they will remember doing it together.

Three consecutive league championships.

Two CIF Finals appearances in three years.

Multiple school records.

Historic state playoff runs.

The 2026 South El Monte Eagles did more than win games.

They changed the trajectory of a program.

They raised the standard for future generations.

And in doing so, they secured their place among the greatest teams in South El Monte High School history.