YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Yuba City Honkers baseball team swept the River Valley Falcons in the final three-game series of the season from Tuesday, April 30, through Friday, May 3.

Yuba City needed to sweep River Valley if it wanted any chance at potentially getting into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The Capital Valley Conference was allotted three teams from the league to be available for the postseason. 

The Honkers’ came into the week needing help from Antelope and Woodcreek to beat Inderkum and Roseville a couple of times to give Yuba City a glimpse of hope, but Inderkum and Roseville both finished a game ahead of the Honkers at the conclusion of games on May 3.

 Yuba City senior infielder Carson Geweke (6) throws a ball to first base for an out in the Honkers’ 12-4 win over River Valley on Thursday, May 2.

Inderkum ultimately got the third and final playoff spot from the CVC as they won the season series against Roseville. This was the last time the Honkers and Falcons would compete in the CVC as they both move onto the Foothill Valley League in the fall 2024 sports season due to realignment.

Yuba City Head Coach Maury Castaneda told the Dispatch about a discussion he had postgame with his team during the April 16 loss versus Bella Vista.

“I told them it was them who controlled our destiny and they rose to the occasion, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Castaneda said. Following that post-game chat, the Honkers won their final six games of the season.

Castaneda added that the class of 2024 high school graduates for all schools are a special class as they began their high school experience with online learning and being able to finish their senior season on the ball field together is a special moment.

Yuba City senior outfielder Kaedin Bulock told the Dispatch that the relationships and brotherhood was one of the biggest takeaways from being a part of the Honkers’ baseball program.

Yuba City senior infielder Carson Geweke said the Honker program was a way of life that taught multiple life lessons like working hard and persevering through adversity.

For River Valley, the program grew a lot as they added seven more wins this season than they did last year. Falcons Head Coach Rob McMains told the Dispatch that he is proud of his seniors and the way they showed their dedication throughout the program.

 River Valley senior outfielder Josiah Ruggirello (3) swings at a pitch in the Falcons’ 12-4 defeat to Yuba City on Thursday, May 2.

McMains also has had the pleasure of coaching his son, senior utility Maddox, who has grown up and been involved with the program for a lot of years as Rob has coached.

 River Valley senior pitcher Emilio Castaneda (20) tosses a pitch in the Falcons’ 12-4 loss to Yuba City on Thursday, May 2.

Maddox told the Dispatch postgame on May 3 that he wouldn’t trade his experience through the program for anything. 

 River Valley senior pitcher/utility Maddox McMains (5) throws a pitch on Friday, May 3, in the Falcons’ 10-0 loss to Yuba City.

Maddox added that the improvement of adding wins throughout the year made it fun, and special memories were made with one another.

 River Valley senior pitcher/catcher Mathew Mashburn (13) throws a pitch against Yuba City in the Falcons’ 10-0 defeat on Friday, May 3.