Harvard-Westlake Celebrates 8-0 Victory Fueled by Justin Kirchner’s Pitching and James Tronstein’s Hitting

Harvard-Westlake’s James Tronstein Shines in High School Baseball

In a standout performance on Tuesday, Harvard-Westlake shortstop James Tronstein, a Vanderbilt commit, showcased his offensive prowess, further establishing his status as one of the top prospects for the 2026 MLB draft. During the Wolverines’ 8-0 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Tronstein recorded multiple hits, including a line drive single, an RBI triple, a bunt single, and an RBI double, raising his season batting average to an impressive .526 with 30 hits, four of which are home runs.

“Just playing baseball,” Tronstein stated modestly, despite his stellar achievements. The senior, who boasts a 4.0 grade-point average, transitioned from center field to shortstop this season and has only made three errors in 19 games. “It’s a blessing and I’m super grateful for the opportunities,” he added, reflecting on his growing momentum along with that of his teammates.

For Harvard-Westlake, the pitching was equally compelling. Junior Justin Kirchner improved his record to 8-0, throwing a complete-game shutout against Notre Dame. He started strong, delivering 10 pitches in the first inning, nine of which were strikes, resulting in three quick strikeouts. Kirchner finished the game with six strikeouts and only one walk, allowing just three hits.

“I’ve definitely grown as the season has gone on,” Kirchner remarked. “Our team has grown. Our offense has grown.”

In addition to Tronstein and Kirchner, Harvard-Westlake saw contributions from Ira Rootman, who recorded three hits, and freshman Louis Lappe, who added two hits and three RBIs. This game marked the beginning of a three-game Mission League series against Notre Dame, which is currently at the top of the standings, with Harvard-Westlake closely trailing.

Other notable scores in the league included Bishop Alemany’s 10-6 victory over Chaminade, with standout performances from Maverick Cederlind, and Sierra Canyon’s 4-1 win against St. Francis, where Brayden Goldstein excelled.

The high school baseball season continues to heat up, with Harvard-Westlake and Notre Dame set to face off again on Wednesday night, with a follow-up game scheduled for Friday at O’Malley Family Field.