This season, the CHS baseball team made it to CIF division two semi-finals, with three playoff game victories over Norco, Vista Murrieta and Gahr, before a loss to South Hills. Based on its performance, the team has qualified for state regional playoffs, which begin May 30.

In an effort to maintain a balance between rest and practice, Cassidy gave the team a few rest days, but the players are back to practicing to prepare for Tuesday. The team’s playoff run represents a record season, according to coaching staff. 

“It’s the furthest the Calabasas High School baseball team has ever made it,” said Head Coach Thomas Cassidy. 

According to Cassidy, the team played hard for three weeks but made a few mistakes it could not overcome in the final game. However, the student body and community came to support at both home playoff games, creating a positive atmosphere. 

“The environment we created I thought was really tough on opposing teams to come in,” said Cassidy. 

The road to state playoffs has not been without its obstacles. Last year, former head coach Shaun Kort left his position, and Cassidy moved up from assistant coach. Last year’s seniors played a large role in the team’s success, but according to Cassidy, the current seniors have stepped into that leadership role he expects all seniors to fill. 

“We have a good group of guys who have worked really hard and have maximized their potential,” said Cassidy. 

In addition, the team faced record-breaking rain this year, periodically making the field unusable and altering game and practice times. 

“Athletic director Jon Palarz and athletic secretary Chris Martinez were unbelievably helpful with shifting everything around,” said Cassidy. “As a team, it was a challenge. We had to move some games around and we didn’t get to practice as much.”

Cassidy plans to mold the new team next year off of what the current players have built. Players worked hard during the off-season to fill their individual roles and find their identity as a team, earning them a record-breaking playoff run. 

“To be the first Calabasas team to make it all the way to the semi-finals has been really cool and something these guys will always remember,” said Cassidy.