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Harlingen Aztecs 104-63 vs.
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| Game | Location | Results | Win | Loss | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at California | Coolers 2, Aztecs 1 | T.Holton(1-0) | D.Herz(1-1) | D.Williams(1) |
| HR – E.Clement(1) | |||||
| 2 | at California | Coolers 2, Aztecs 1 | C.Burnes(3-0) | B.Ober(1-1) | None |
| HR – J.Stallings(1), A.Judge 2(2) | |||||
| 3 | at Harlingen | Coolers 7, Aztecs 2 | N.Pivetta(2-0) | B.Francis(1-1) | None |
| HR – A.Judge(3), E.Sosa(1), B.Stott(1), H.Renfroe(1) | |||||
| 4 | at Harlingen | Aztecs 8, Coolers 6 | K.Finnegan(1-1) | T.Holton(1-1) | E.Paredes(1) |
| HR – A.Judge(4), E.Clement(2), E.Sosa(2), J.Pena(2), J.Cronenworth(1) | |||||
| 5 | at Harlingen | Coolers 6, Aztecs 1 | D.Cease(1-1) | M.King(0-1) | None |
| HR – E.Clement(3) | |||||
California wins ALCS 4-1
Game 1 – California edged Harlingen in a tightly contested postseason matchup, winning 2–1 in the 2025 ALCS opener. The game was defined by strong pitching, limited scoring chances, and timely power. California broke through with a key solo home run by Ernie Clement, a 400-foot blast to left-center field that provided a crucial run in a low-scoring affair. The offense did just enough, manufacturing runs while putting pressure on Harlingen’s defense throughout the middle innings. Jake Cronenworth’s 6th inning sac fly put the Coolers up for good. On the mound, Dylan Cease delivered a strong postseason performance for California, working 5.2 innings and allowing 3 hits, 0 runs, and 7 Ks keeping Harlingen’s lineup in check and setting the tone early. The California bullpen preserved the slim lead, closing out the win without allowing a late comeback. Harlingen had opportunities but was unable to capitalize, including grounding into key outs and a double play that stalled momentum. Devin Williams pitched a scoreless 9th to save the California victory.
Game 2 – October 11, 2025 – Wrigley Field. California delivered a dominant all-around performance in Game 2, defeating Harlingen 9–1 behind early power, a decisive middle-inning rally, and an outstanding start from Corbin Burnes. The Coolers struck immediately in the bottom of the first inning when Aaron Judge launched a 441-foot solo home run down the left-field line, giving California a quick 1–0 lead. That swing set the tone in a game where California controlled momentum from start to finish. Harlingen struggled early against Burnes, who retired the side efficiently through the opening innings while allowing little solid contact. The game broke open in the fifth inning, when California sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring five runs on four hits, two walks, and a defensive error. Joey Ortiz delivered the biggest blow, a three-run double. This chased Harlingen starter Bailey Ober, who pitched competitively early but was undone by traffic and defensive miscues. Judge continued his dominant night in the sixth inning, blasting his second solo homer of the game (363 feet), pushing the lead to 7–0. He finished with two home runs, three RBIs, and three walks, consistently pressuring Harlingen’s pitching staff. Burnes was in complete command, pitching seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, no walks, and keeping Harlingen off balance all night. His outing earned him Game MVP honors and put CAC up 2 games to none. Harlingen avoided the shutout in the eighth inning when Jacob Stallings, pinch-hitting, crushed a 405-foot solo home run to left-center.
Game 3 – California broke open a tight game with a four-run eighth inning and rode a strong pitching performance from Nick Pivetta to a 7–2 victory over Harlingen on a cool, rainy night at Citi Field. The game was scoreless through three innings before California struck first in the fourth. Edmundo Sosa, who entered as a pinch runner earlier in the game, launched a solo home run down the left-field line to give California a 1–0 lead. Harlingen answered immediately in the bottom half when Bryson Stott tied the game with a solo homer of his own. The Coolers reclaimed control in the fifth inning. After Seiya Suzuki doubled, Aaron Judge crushed a two-run homer to left-center field, pushing the lead to 3–1. Judge was the offensive catalyst all night, reaching base five times and driving in three runs. The Aztecs narrowed the gap in the seventh when Hunter Renfroe hit a solo home run off the bullpen, making it 3–2. That would be as close as Harlingen would get. The decisive moment came in the eighth inning, when California sent 10 batters to the plate. Leody Taveras and Brett Baty delivered RBI singles, while Judge and Ernie Clement drew bases-loaded walks to cap a four-run rally that put the game out of reach. Nick Pivetta earned the win, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings with six strikeouts. California’s bullpen held Harlingen to one run over the final four innings. Bowden Francis took the loss for Harlingen. Aaron Judge was named Game MVP, finishing 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs, and three walks as California improved its series position with a convincing win.
Game 4 – Harlingen fans were treated to a wild one on October 14, as their squad outlasted California in an offense-packed 8–6 victory that featured big swings, momentum shifts, and clutch late runs. The game’s tone was set early. After California scratched across a run in the second inning, Harlingen answered in a huge way — pouring in five runs to seize control and get the crowd buzzing. That early outburst proved massive in what turned into a back-and-forth battle. The Coolers never went quietly. They chipped away over the next few innings and then erupted in the sixth, launching a four-run rally powered by multiple home runs to tie the game at 6–6. Just like that, the momentum had swung and the game felt wide open. But the home team showed grit. Refusing to let the game slip, the Aztecs responded with two clutch runs over the final two innings, reclaiming the lead and putting the pressure right back on California. The bullpen slammed the door from there, holding California scoreless down the stretch and locking in the win. Jeremy Pena delivered a monster night, going 3-for-5 with a home run and driving in two runs. Daulton Varsho and Christian Walker were all over the bases, combining for four hits and four runs scored. On the mound, Kyle Finnegan and Enoli Paredes steadied the ship late, shutting down the guests’ offense when it mattered most. California’s power was on full display, with four home runs flying out of the park, including blasts from Aaron Judge, Ernie Clement, Edmundo Sosa and Jake Cronenworth — but Harlingen’s timely hitting and late-game composure made the difference. In a game packed with fireworks, Harlingen made the last big move — and that’s what sent the fans home happy with an 8–6 win. The Aztecs finally get a win, and now have a chance to get back in this series with their Ace, Michael King scheduled to start game 5.
Game 5 – The game was scoreless early, but the visiting California lineup broke through in the top of the second inning. Ernie Clement jumped on a pitch and drove it over the fence for a solo home run, his 3rd of the ALCS, giving California an early 1–0 lead and quieting the home crowd. From that point on, California starter Dylan Cease took control. The right-hander was sharp and aggressive, piling up strikeouts while keeping Harlingen’s offense in check through the middle innings. The visitors weren’t able to add on in the third or fourth, but Cease made the one-run lead stand. The home team finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth, stringing together quality at-bats to push across a run and even the score at 1–1. The rally brought the crowd back into it, but Cease limited the damage and kept the game tied. California answered in the top of the seventh, scratching across the go-ahead run with a clutch plate appearance to move back in front 2–1. The momentum swung back to the visitors as the pressure shifted onto Harlingen. The turning point came in the top of the eighth, when California’s offense erupted. The visitors sent multiple hitters to the plate and piled on four runs, turning a tight contest into a commanding lead. Jake Cronenworth delivered a huge two-RBI double, Elias Díaz followed with an RBI of his own and Seiya Suzuki continued his strong night, scoring twice and keeping the inning alive. By the time the Aztecs escaped the inning, California had opened up a 6–1 advantage. Cease wrapped up a dominant outing, going 6⅔ innings and allowing just one run while striking out 12. The bullpen duo of Holton and Williams took over from there, shutting the door and securing the road win. Aaron Judge named MVP with a .615/.783/1.692 slash, 4 HR, 8 runs, 6 RBI. The California Coolers await the winner of the NLCS – either the Muckdogs or Lookouts. It will be the 7th World Series appearance for SWBA charter member Robert White.
ALCS MVP
Aaron Judge
.615/.783/1.692, 4 HR, 8 R, 6 RBI
