The Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic is back at Oracle Park this Saturday, April 18. It brings three top Bay Area high school games right to the heart of San Francisco.
This 20th annual fundraiser features teams from Marin County and beyond—University, Riordan, St. Ignatius, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Marin Catholic, and Acalanes. There’ll be coaching rivalries, standout stars, and a real chance for local communities to support youth baseball through equipment drives, field renovations, and scholarships via Dante’s Boys Foundation.
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Fans from San Rafael, Novato, Tiburon, Mill Valley, Larkspur, and Corte Madera are coming. Visitors from across the Bay Area will fill the stands for a full day of baseball in this iconic ballpark.
Event Snapshot at Oracle Park
The Benedetti Classic pairs Bay Area power with community spirit. It turns a spring Saturday into a lively celebration of grassroots softball and baseball talent.
Besides the competition, the event shines a light on efforts to improve youth ball facilities and help younger players chase their dreams in Marin County and beyond. You’ll find a family-friendly atmosphere—alumni, local boosters, and young players from Sausalito to Fairfax line the concourses while the air fills with the scent of popcorn and ballpark hot dogs.
11 a.m. showdown: University vs Riordan
11 a.m. kicks off the tripleheader as University faces Riordan, drawing prep fans from the North Bay and the City. University brings an explosive offense led by senior Jett Messenger (.447 average, .638 on-base, 20 steals) and junior Tate Gebhart (.419).
Lefty ace Matthew Foley sits at 3-2 with a 2.38 ERA. On Riordan’s side, junior Santiono Williams (.371, .488 OBP, nine steals) leads as both top hitter and their best available pitcher at 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA.
Marin County readers know the trek from San Rafael and Larkspur as fans head into San Francisco for this early-season clash.
- Jett Messenger — speed and contact hitting, anchor of University’s lineup
- Santiono Williams — versatile threat, reliable on both ends of the ball for Riordan
- Matthew Foley — competitive starter for University with a sub-2.50 ERA
2:30 p.m. Bruce-Mahoney rivalry: St. Ignatius vs Sacred Heart Cathedral
The classic Bay Area rivalry takes center stage at 2:30 p.m. when St. Ignatius (12-5, 4-2 WCAL) meets Sacred Heart Cathedral (7-10, 1-5 WCAL).
The Wildcats are ranked fourth in the Bay Area, powered by Stanford-bound junior Archer Horn (.486 average, four homers, .604 OBP). St. Ignatius brings strong pitching, posting a team ERA around 2.59, even after losing righty Finn Demuth to Tommy John surgery.
Sacred Heart Cathedral counters with a steady offense led by Brody O’Sullivan (.381) and Jacob Vines (.378). Pitching contributions from Zach Stallworth and Cooper Rogers Lewis help them keep pace with the Bay Area’s best.
Fans from Marin County to the Richmond District will appreciate the grit and precision as these two SF-area powerhouses battle for regional bragging rights.
- Archer Horn — star talent with big power and high OBP
- Finn Demuth — key St. Ignatius pitcher sidelined by surgery, team resilience tested
- Brody O’Sullivan and Jacob Vines — Cathedral’s main offensive catalysts
Nightcap: Marin Catholic vs Acalanes
Marin Catholic (9-7) started the season strong at 9-1, but lately, things haven’t gone their way. They’ve dropped six straight, and the mood’s a bit tense.
Acalanes sits at 7-6-1 and rolls into the late game with some momentum. These two have met three times since 2022, and Marin Catholic holds a slim 2-1 edge, which just adds some extra spice for fans driving in from Kentfield, San Anselmo, or Novato.
It’s a matchup that’ll test some of the area’s developing arms. Honestly, it’s a great chance for Marin County’s baseball depth to get a little shine in prime time.
- Marin Catholic — trying to snap the skid with their veteran pitching staff
- Acalanes — hungry for another win against Marin County rivals
Marin County’s baseball crowd always shows up—whether it’s folks from San Rafael’s Boyd Park, families winding through Mill Valley, or Novato parents heading toward the bridge. The Dante Benedetti Classic isn’t just a game; it’s a reminder of how high school baseball pulls towns together and shapes futures.
Dante’s Boys Foundation keeps pushing for youth baseball, running equipment drives, fixing up fields, and handing out scholarships. Turning a day at Oracle Park into something bigger for kids from Larkspur to Fairfax? That’s the real win.
Whether you cheer from San Anselmo or drive in from Corte Madera, you’ll want to catch the action. The 20th Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic isn’t just a showcase—honestly, it’s a celebration of how much baseball means across Marin County and the Bay Area.
Here is the source article for this story: Trio of Bay Area High School baseball games at San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park
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