“As good as advertised.” Corona’s Brady Ebel celebrates with teammates after scoring against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/ SCNG) Corona’s Ethin Bingaman celebrates after hitting a double as Norco’s Dylan Seward stands nearby at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jason Gerfers delivers a pitch against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona shortstop Billy Carlson turns the front end of a double play on Norco’s Kevin Leon at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco’s Jordan Ayala looses his hat as he delivers a pitch against Corona at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco catcher Wyatt Fiedler tries to tag out Corona’s Ethin Bingaman after a dropped third strike at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects for a double against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jason Gerfers delivers a pitch against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona shortstop Billy Carlson throws off second base to get the force out on Norco’s Elijah Alvarez at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects for a double against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona shortstop Billy Carlson races toward second base to get the force out on Norco’s Elijah Alvarez at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Jason Gerfers delivers a pitch against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez waits on a pitch against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez stands at the plate against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco’s Jordan Ayala delivers a pitch against Corona at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects on a pitch against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects for a double against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco catcher Wyatt Fiedler tries to tag out Corona’s Ethin Bingaman after a dropped third strike at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects for a double against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco’s Jordan Ayala delivers a pitch against Corona at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona catcher Jesiah Andrade tags out Norco’s Ayden White at the plate during the 4th inning at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco catcher Wyatt Fiedler tries to tag out Corona’s Ethin Bingaman after a dropped third strike at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Norco catcher Wyatt Fiedler tries to tag out Corona’s Ethin Bingaman after a dropped third strike at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez connects for a double against Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona shortstop Billy Carlson turns the front end of a double play on Norco’s Kevin Leon at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Brady Ebel celebrates with teammates after scoring against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona’s Seth Hernandez reacts after hitting a double against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Corona catcher Jesiah Andrade tags out Norco’s Ayden White at the plate during the 4th inning at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 28Corona’s Brady Ebel celebrates with teammates after scoring against visiting Norco at Corona High School on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. Nationally top ranked Corona defeated Norco 4-0 in a Big VIII League baseball game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Expand That was the conclusion made by a parent who brought his son out to watch the Corona baseball team play its Big VIII League opener Monday afternoon at Norco High School. He was talking about the team as a whole, but most eyes — including those of about three dozen MLB scouts — were fixated on senior pitcher Seth Hernandez. And Hernandez, the top-rated high school pitcher in the nation, did not disappoint. Hernandez allowed only two hits and struck out 12 batters over five innings of work to lead the Panthers to a 9-0 win. His fastball was being clocked regularly between 95-97 MPH, and Hernandez even hit triple digits on a couple of pitches. And he recorded plenty of those strikeouts with his excellent change-up and sharp-breaking curve ball. And Hernandez reminded everyone he can swing the bat, too, when he launched a three-run homer in the top of the third inning. Hernandez, the reigning IE Varsity Player of the Year, has gotten used to being scrutinized by the scouts who flock to games whenever he is on the mound. Hernandez is projected to be a top 5 pick in the MLB Draft. “You really can’t play for the scouts though,” Hernandez explained. “I’m out here playing for my team and just looking to dominate. If I focus in who’s out here watching me, I might get lost in what I’m supposed to be doing. The big thing for me is just to play my game and have fun. The important thing to help my team win games.” And Corona is doing that. The consensus No. 1-ranked team in the nation has opened the season with six consecutive victories. Jason Gerfers and Mason Sims combined on a three-hitter Tuesday as the Panthers prevailed 4-0 at home in Game 2 of the series with Norco. The Panthers have outscored the opposition 35-1 this season. “The pitching staff has been phenomenal, and I just applauded our boys who went out there today (Tuesday) because we didn’t get a lot of ‘friendly’ calls,” Corona coach Andy Wise said. “…I truly expect us to get much better offensively. We’re still leaving a lot of money on the tables. That should improve with more games.” Monday, Corona grabbed the lead in the second inning without the benefit of a hit. The Panthers took advantage of three walks and a hit batsmen and scored the first two runs on a wild pitch and a balk. Hernandez’s blast in the third increased the lead to 5-0, and Anthony Murphy homered later in the contest. A light rain started to fall around the third inning. The scouts packed up their radar guns and began to head for the parking lot after Hernandez struck out the side in the fourth. Many believed Hernandez’s day on the hill might be done with Corona holding a 6-0 lead. But when Hernandez walked to the mound for the fifth, the scouts scurried back to their spots in the bleachers and whipped out those radars guns and notebooks. “He’s been amazing,” Wise said of Hernandez handling the pressure when scouts are in attendance. “I think he relishes it a bit. He’s had eyes on him for so long, so it really doesn’t faze him. He just plays ball.” Jayden Daya pitched the final two innings for Corona on Monday afternoon and allowed one hit and a walk and struck out one. There were only a handful of scouts in attendance for Tuesday’s game, which was expected to be a closer affair with Gerfers (Arizona State) pitching for Corona, and freshman sensation Jordan Ayala on the hill for Norco. Gerfers worked out of a jam in the second inning, stranding runners at first and third after a pair of strikeouts. Ayala did not allow a hit until the third inning. Ethin Bingaman got Corona on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the bottom of the third. Ayala limited the damage to one run after getting Hernandez to pop up to center field and Billy Carlson to line out to right. Murphy doubled the lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Murphy. Ayala got a big assist from his defense, as center fielder Elijah Alvarez throw out another runner who was trying to score on the same play to end that inning. Ayala allowed two runs on three hits in four innings, walked three and struck out three. Norco (3-5 overall) had a runner thrown out at the plate in the fourth and left four other others in scoring position during the game. Gerfers exited after five innings, having allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six. Sims, a sophomore, allowed a hit, walked two and struck out in two innings to finish up another shutout for the Panthers’ staff. Carlson singled home a run in the fifth inning, and Bingaman belted a solo home run to left in the sixth. The series concludes Thursday afternoon at Norco, with Bingaman scheduled to square off against Norco’s Landon Hovermale. Corona will be heading to the prestigious Boras Classic in Orange County next week. And the Panthers are aware every team they battle wants to be the first one to hand them a loss. “We got a taste of that last season, so we’re used to it now.” said Carlson, the senior shortstop who also is projected to be a high draft pick in July. “We’re still going into every game with our noses down and looking to play hard.” ...read more read less