Warren High School’s baseball team secured a narrow 3-1 victory against Millikan High School on March 7, 2026, at Blair Field in Long Beach. Pitcher Jeremiah Juarez showcased his skills on the mound, outshining his opponent, while catcher Ivan Perez played a pivotal role by driving in three crucial runs.
Both teams struggled to find rhythm at the plate, with hits being a rare commodity throughout the game. The Bears capitalized on a critical error by the Millikan infield, which provided the slight opening they needed to secure the victory. Juarez earned the win after delivering an impressive performance, allowing only one run on one hit over five innings, striking out two batters and walking two.
Pitching Duel Highlights and Key Plays
Juarez encountered early command issues, leading to Warren trailing 1-0 after the first inning. “I was trying to adjust to the mound, really,” Juarez explained. “Tried to work on my fastball command, and obviously my offspeed pitches need to be effective in order to keep a team like this down.” Despite the shaky start, he settled in and retired 13 of the next 14 batters faced.
Millikan’s pitcher, Daunte Bell, delivered a commendable performance as well. Despite taking the loss, he struck out nine batters, walked one, and hit a batter in a complete-game effort. Bell allowed three runs—two of which were earned—on just two hits. He faced a challenging fourth inning, where the Bears took advantage of an error, setting the stage for Perez’s decisive bases-clearing double.
Millikan coach Ron Keester acknowledged Bell’s talent, stating, “(Bell) was really good tonight. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out our way.” Keester emphasized that missed opportunities were detrimental to his team’s performance, highlighting the Bears’ effectiveness in capitalizing on their chances.
Turning Points and Final Innings
Warren’s fourth inning proved to be a turning point. Following an error that allowed Josue Evangelista to reach base, singles from Jose Eljaik and Carlos Navarro loaded the bases for Perez. He made the most of the opportunity with a powerful double into the left field corner, scoring three runs. “It was just one big hit from our catcher, Ivan Perez, and that was the difference maker,” said Bears coach Cesar Martinez.
Juarez needed 22 pitches to get through the first inning but found his groove thereafter. He handed the ball to reliever Andres Haro for the final two innings, where Haro faced some challenges. After walking two of the first three batters in the sixth, he managed to escape the jam. Millikan squandered opportunities to score when Adrian Ramirez struck out and Alan Machado was picked off first base.
“He slipped, he fell and he got thrown out,” Keester remarked about Machado’s misfortune. “Bad timing and he’ll learn from that.”
Haro concluded the game with two strikeouts, solidifying the Bears’ victory. This win improved Warren’s record to 5-1, while Millikan fell to 3-4. The match showcased both teams’ talents, with Juarez’s pitching and Perez’s crucial hit ultimately determining the outcome.
