On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, the Inland Valley Baseball Association hosted its Sunset League Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
The Home Run Derby kicked off at 5:45 pm, and it was a blast. Each team had one representative, and they had 10 swings to hit as many home runs as possible.
The star of the first round was CA Dodgers’ first baseman, Anthony Soriano. Soriano, a right-handed hitter, hit multiple home runs deep over the net in left field. Multiple balls bounced high off the top of portable classrooms beyond the left field wall.
Soriano hit five home runs in the opening round, the best out of anyone, automatically qualifying himself for the final.
The Badlands’ Isaiah Martin and the Swamp Dogs’ Jesse Chacon tied for second place, resulting in a five-swing playoff between them.
Martin hit one home run, but Chacon hit three, propelling him into the final against Soriano. Chacon, a left-handed hitter, hit a massive home run over the right field net and well into the In-N-Out drive-through across Route 66.
Chacon went first in the final and made it difficult for Soriano to win. Chacon matched Soriano by hitting five home runs in the 10-swing final. Multiple balls ended up on Route 66 and the restaurants across the street from the stadium.
Soriano, who had been sitting for a while now, could not regain the momentum he ended his first round with, and he ultimately only hit two home runs before surrendering the Home Run Derby title to Chacon.
At 7:05 pm, the All-Star Game began. The National team was the home team this year, and they had a clean first frame.
American team pitcher Edwin Segovia one-upped the National pitching by striking out the side. In the top of the inning, the American hitters took control, scoring three runs, capped by a two-RBI single from second baseman Alex Rodriguez.
In the bottom of the inning, the National team started a two-out rally, and Eric Mora took advantage by hitting a long double to drive in two runs.
Unfortunately for the National team, these were their only two runs of the day.
Anthony Gomez extended the American lead in the third by hitting a towering home run down the left field line.
Rodriguez secured another hit and RBI in the eighth inning on a double, giving him two hits and three RBIs.
This statline earned Rodriguez the 2025 Sunset League All-Star Game MVP.
In the end, the American team won 6-2.
Ultimately, the day was successful, fun, and showcased a high quality of play among the Sunset League’s premier players.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 