Four Redlands teams competing in County Clash

The County Clash baseball event, created in the early 2000s by former area high school coaches Jeff Stout and Steve Hernandez, returns this weekend.

A host of area teams are involved in the games at San Manuel Stadium, home of the minor league Inland Empire 66ers.  Redlands High meets Beaumont at 4 p.m. Friday and Redlands East Valley faces Citrus Valley at 7 p.m. Both are Citrus Belt League games.

CBL title contenders meet at 10 a.m. Saturday when Yucaipa takes on Cajon. Also, Arrowhead Christian Academy faces Woodcrest Christian of Riverside in an Ambassador League game at 7 p.m. as the event concludes.  

Joey Caro is one of the assistant coaches who has run the show at Citrus Valley while coach Jon Austin is recuperating from back problems. Caro says the Blackhawks are ready. Citrus Valley stunned Cajon 10-6 on Tuesday.  

“The boys are excited,” Caro said. “Playing a crosstown rival (REV) always brings a little bit extra excitement -- on top of it being played in the stadium under the lights.”

The event helps area teams earn money through ticket sales and allows them to play on a professional field. It also benefits the Class A California League 66ers. The Sixers use it as a sort of dress rehearsal for the regular season. 

The 66ers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, open their home season April 8 against the Fresno Grizzlies.

Here are the CBL standings: Yucaipa 11-3, 4-0; Citrus Valley 8-7, 3-1; Cajon 11-3, 2-1; REV 7-8, 1-2; Beaumont 2-9, 1-3; Redlands 6-6, 0-4.  

GAIMON TO LEAD LEGENDS FONDO

Two-time Redlands Bicycle Classic winner Phil Gaimon will play a big part in this year’s RBC set for April 9-13.

Gaimon will lead the April 12 Legends’ Fondo, an event for recreational riders.

There are four routes ranging from 22 miles to 70 miles from which to choose.  

“He’s a neat guy,” classic official Craig Kundig said of Gaimon. “He won the classic twice and he’s retired now but he’s stayed involved in cycling and has been able to make a living through it.”  

Gaimon rode professionally from 2009 through 2016. A prolific blogger, the Ohio native has written for VeloNews, Bicycling, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has authored numerous books.

Gaimon also holds an annual charity event in Simi Valley, Phil’s Cookie Fondo.  

JACKSON BLASTS TWO HOME RUNS

Leila Jackson, a sophomore from Vallejo, hit two home runs for the University of Redlands softball team in a recent doubleheader split with Chapman.

Redlands lost the first game 5-4 and won the nightcap 6-1. Both of Jackson’s home runs came in the second game, including a grand slam in the fifth inning. She drove in five runs.

Reach John Murphy at berdooman@gmail.com and follow him at @PrepDawg2.