RIVERSIDE — Tension was thick and tempers started to flare during Thursday’s Ivy League baseball game between Arlington and Paloma Valley. Through it all, Arlington pitcher Troy Khasaempanth kept his cool on the mound. Arlington’s infielder Nick Valazquez #3 leaps past the tag of Paloma Valley pitcher Justin Allen #25 to score on a wild pitch during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Caleb Franks #17 beats the tag of Paloma Valley infielder Zack Morris #8 as he steals second base during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley infielder Zack Morris #8 reacts after Arlington’s Caleb Franks #17 steals second base during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s catcher Luke Bacon #13 celebrates after hitting a single against Paloma Valley during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s head coach Tim Kleveno talks to his bench against Paloma Valley during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Vincent Magana #6 is hit in the back by a Paloma Valley pitch during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley infielder Brayden Bessette #14 tags out Arlington’s infielder Nick Valazquez #3 trying to steal second during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley infielder Robby Bland #6 watches as Arlington’s Joe Flores #23 puts a finger to his mouth as he rounds third base after hitting a home run during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Arlington’s Joe Flores #23 was ejected for this homer celebration toward the Paloma Valley bench. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley infielder Brayden Bessette #14 is caught in a run down against Arlington during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley head coach Jason Berni argues a call with the home plate umpire against Arlington during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Paloma Valley infielder Brayden Bessette #14 celebrates his single against Arlington during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Carter Johnson #20 celebrates after hitting a double in front of Paloma Valley’s Jaxon Baker #9 during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Nathan Chavez #1 celebrates after scoring against Paloma Valley during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Nathan Chavez #1 celebrates after scoring against Paloma Valley during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington pitcher Nathan Chavez #1 wides up to pitch against Paloma Valley during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Joe Flores #23 celebrates his homer against Paloma Valley with a slam dunk in the dugout. during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Arlington’s Joe Flores #23 celebrates his homer against Paloma Valley with a slam dunk in the dugout. during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Arlington’s Joe Flores #23 was ejected for his homer celebration. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 18Arlington’s infielder Nick Valazquez #3 leaps past the tag of Paloma Valley pitcher Justin Allen #25 to score on a wild pitch during the Ivy League baseball game in Riverside on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Expand Khasaempanth worked only one clean inning but showed grit and determination in working his way out of a handful of jams. The offense came through in the latter stages of the game, with the Lions taking advantage of free bases to walk away with a 6-1 victory and remain unbeaten in Ivy League play. “Troy is a competitor, no matter what is happening,” Arlington coach Tim Kleveno said. “He’s always going to go out there and compete even when he doesn’t have his best stuff. We still haven’t seen his very best this year, but even then he still manages to find a way to win some big baseball games.” Paloma Valley, the defending Ivy League champion, had a chance to break through in the first inning. The Wildcats (7-2 overall, 3-2 in league) loaded the bases (single, two walks) with two outs, but Khasaempanth emerged unscathed after striking out Jaxon Baker on three pitches to end that threat. “I think probably was the biggest moment of the game for me,” Khasaempanth said. “I just took some deep breaths and did my best to find the zone.” Paloma Valley did get onto the board first. Khasaempanth plunked Brandon Alley with his initial pitch of the second inning, and Robby Bland laced a double inside the bag at third with one out. Arlington kept the infield back, so Alley scored the game’s first run on a groundout by Brayden Bassette. Arlington (8-3, 4-0) took the lead in the top of the third inning, scoring twice without registering a hit. Luke Bacon and Nathan Chavez reached base when Brody Smearer drilled them on back-to-back pitches. An error brought home the first run, and a sacrifice fly by Khasaempanth scored Chavez. The Lions doubled their lead in the fourth. Carter Johnson roped a double into the gap in left-center field with one out, and pinch runner Carter Scott scored on a two-out single by Chavez. Bacon reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored the second run of the frame on a wild pitch by Smearer. “Getting some leadoff batters on base was key,” said Kleveno, whose team beat Paloma Valley 4-1 on Tuesday. “It allowed to do some of the things that we really excel at, like some small ball and running the bases. When we’re able to execute well in those areas, things tend to work in our favor.” Paloma Valley had runners at second and third with one out in the fifth inning but squandered the opportunity. Bassette was thrown out in a rundown between third and home for the second out of the inning. Paloma Valley coach Jason Berni argued, unsuccessfully, for interference, and that’s when some words began to fly around from the dugouts. The two-man umpiring crew issued a handful of warnings to players and coaches on both teams. Khasaempanth was in the right place at the right time moments later. Paloma Valley’s Jacob Melendez bounced a high chopper to first base, and the ball was mishandled there. Khasaempanth was headed that direction to cover first, and he picked up the loose ball and beat Melendez to the bag. It was around that time one umpire ejected a Paloma Valley assistant coach. And the chippiness continued during the bottom half of the fifth inning. Joe Flores launched a solo home run to left field to extend Arlington’s lead to 5-1. As he started to round third, Flores put a finger to his mouth while looking toward Paloma Valley’s dugout. Inside Arlington’s dugout, Flores slammed a miniature basketball through a hoop being held up by coaches. Flores was ejected for his “shooshing” taunt, and two assistant coaches also were given the heave-ho because props can’t be used in celebrations. Related Articles High School Sports | All-CIF Southern Section: Three Inland girls water polo players receive top honors High School Sports | Inland girls athlete of the week: Brinley Knoll, Santiago High School Sports | Inland boys athlete of the week: Brayden Burries, Roosevelt High School Sports | Brayden Burries’ record-setting night leads Roosevelt boys basketball to state Open Division championship High School Sports | Etiwanda girls basketball tops Archbishop Mitty again for record third straight CIF State Open title Khasaempanth’s afternoon on the mound ended after six innings. He allowed the one run on four hits, walked three and hit two, and struck out four. Paloma Valley loaded the bases again with one out in the seventh, but Chavez got Melendez to ground out to short for a game-ending double play. The teams will square off for a third time April 24 at Paloma Valley. ...read more read less