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A high school baseball game in California ended in dramatic fashion this past week. Fireworks were ignited in the moments that followed.
A postgame celebration from the winning team led to confrontation on the field. The losing coach’s reaction to the unsportsmanlike act quickly went viral.
Most initially mocked the coach for his saltiness. They blamed his emotional response on the defeat, not the postgame antics.
New video justifies his reaction. He has now been vindicated by social media.
Bishop Amat beat La Salle in high school baseball action.
The two southern California high schools are separated by less than 20 miles. La Salle is located in Pasadena. Bishop Amat plays its ball in La Puente. They square off annually as members of the Del Rey League.
They even go by the same name, the Lancers.
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Bishop Amat hosted La Salle on April 24th. It was the third and final meeting of the season series.
Each team had won one of the previous two matchups, including an 11-1 shellacking by La Salle in the opener. Bishop Amat evened the set with a 4-2 win earlier this month.
They’d clinch the series in Game 3.
Bishop Amat overcame a deficit to force extra innings before winning on a walk-off hit by pitch in the bottom of the ninth. Players responded by flooding out of the dugout and onto the playing field.
The celebration moved from the infield clay to the outfield grass. La Salle players were still on the field. Pushing and shoving ensued.
Correction. Bishop Amat won on a hit batter with the bases loaded. Here is video shared with me that showed more of what happened afterward that Nieto was upset about. pic.twitter.com/JuQoygYJCg
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) April 25, 2026
Coach Andy Nieto was irate.
He was emotional after La Salle’s loss. The celebration became a topic of discussion.
“I’m embarrassed for Bishop Amat,” he said. “I’m embarrassed for Bishop Amat… that would never ever happen on my watch – that culture…
“You don’t rush my leftfielder. That’s not okay… Thank God for schools like La Salle. La Salle will respect all and fear none.”
La Salle baseball coach Andy Nieto had some choice words toward the school he once coached at following a 9-8 loss to Bishop Amat in 9 innings.
Bishop Amat won on a bases loaded walk off walk, and the celebration run toward left field crossed paths with La Salle outfielder Drew… pic.twitter.com/VUb40VWv3g
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) April 25, 2026
In the first video posted above, it’s hard to tell exactly what happened. It was filmed on the first base side, the furthest possible place from the action.
Nieto said his leftfielder was targeted while isolated. Most called it an overreaction. New video shows his response was warranted.
New video emerges on social media.
This clip was taken on the third base side of the field. It more clearly shows what transpired to lead to the pushing and shoving.
If anyone who wants to why Coach Nieto said what he said here’s a clearer view and angle. You be the judge… https://t.co/EdEuCBHc7X pic.twitter.com/KZEK0Z6wHM
— Mark the Shark (@coachmark_48) April 30, 2026
In the more recently posted video, it appears a Bishop Amat player confronted the La Salle outfielder. That is what sparked the reaction.
iStockphoto / X / @coachmark48
The entire Bishop Amat team then surrounded the La Salle player before teammates could come to his defense. Some jostling persisted but cooler heads eventually prevailed.
The video justified Nieto’s response to the celebration. It was over the top.
We do not have any context as to the history of the two players involved in the initial confrontation. There may be bad blood. We only have Nieto’s reaction and the video of one particular interaction.
On its own, that evidence vindicates the La Salle baseball coach.