BSB | Program Great Christian Almanza Sets Oakland Ballers Home Run Record During Pioneer League Title Run
10/14/2025 9:13:00 AM | Baseball
MORAGA, Calif. - After a decorated collegiate career at Saint Mary's, alumnus Christian Almanza added another notch to his belt as he set the single-season franchise record in home runs and RBI for the Oakland Ballers, helping lead them to the 2025 Pioneer League Championship.
In his first full season with the Ballers, Almanza was a standout, finishing with a .315 batting average, .653 slugging percentage, 111 hits, 105 RBI and a whopping 31 homers to lead the team. Oakland finished the 2025 season with a 73-23 record and defeated the Idaho Falls Chukars 8-1 to capture their first ever Pioneer League Championship.
In a best-of-five series, Idaho jumped out to a two-game lead with a pair of home wins to put the Ballers in a must-win scenario. They would return to Raimondi Park in Oakland and rattle off three consecutive wins in dramatic fashion to win the championship series. Over their three-game comeback, the Ballers outscored the Chukars 26-6 while Almanza recorded a pair of hits, four runs scored, three RBI and a two-run home run back in game three. Almanza's 31 home runs and 105 RBI would go down as single-season franchise records in what was just his first season with the Ballers.
As a Gael, Almanza spent three seasons with Saint Mary's where he was a two-time All-WCC First Team selection and was named the WCC Co-Player of the Year in 2023. The Stockton native ended his collegiate career in style as he broke the single-season and career program records for home runs, smashing 24 homers to conclude the 2024 season and hitting 47 over his three-year career. Almanza was a career .319 hitter and represents one of the best power bats in Saint Mary's history.
"My first professional season was definitely one to remember", said Almanza. "Playing for the Oakland Ballers has been an incredible honor and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the organization's first PBL Championship. Playing in Oakland felt a lot like my time as a Gael. I was fortunate enough to break the Ballers home run and RBI records in our championship season. Thank you SMC for opening the doors to such great opportunities" (Almanza).
Also joining Almanza was recent graduate Dylan Delvecchio who joined the Ballers for the second half of the season after helping Saint Mary's to their second ever NCAA Regional appearance back in June. Delvecchio finished with ten appearances and seven starts, recording his first win as a Baller on August 7th in an 11-4 victory over the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers. Delvecchio allowed just two hits and struck out eight batters over his six innings of work. The Oakland Ballers will continue to be a popular local spot for former Gaels to start their professional careers as the organization enters it's third year of existence.
The full release from the Oakland Ballers Pioneer League Championship can be found HERE or at pioneerleague.com. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
In his first full season with the Ballers, Almanza was a standout, finishing with a .315 batting average, .653 slugging percentage, 111 hits, 105 RBI and a whopping 31 homers to lead the team. Oakland finished the 2025 season with a 73-23 record and defeated the Idaho Falls Chukars 8-1 to capture their first ever Pioneer League Championship.
In a best-of-five series, Idaho jumped out to a two-game lead with a pair of home wins to put the Ballers in a must-win scenario. They would return to Raimondi Park in Oakland and rattle off three consecutive wins in dramatic fashion to win the championship series. Over their three-game comeback, the Ballers outscored the Chukars 26-6 while Almanza recorded a pair of hits, four runs scored, three RBI and a two-run home run back in game three. Almanza's 31 home runs and 105 RBI would go down as single-season franchise records in what was just his first season with the Ballers.
As a Gael, Almanza spent three seasons with Saint Mary's where he was a two-time All-WCC First Team selection and was named the WCC Co-Player of the Year in 2023. The Stockton native ended his collegiate career in style as he broke the single-season and career program records for home runs, smashing 24 homers to conclude the 2024 season and hitting 47 over his three-year career. Almanza was a career .319 hitter and represents one of the best power bats in Saint Mary's history.
"My first professional season was definitely one to remember", said Almanza. "Playing for the Oakland Ballers has been an incredible honor and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the organization's first PBL Championship. Playing in Oakland felt a lot like my time as a Gael. I was fortunate enough to break the Ballers home run and RBI records in our championship season. Thank you SMC for opening the doors to such great opportunities" (Almanza).
Also joining Almanza was recent graduate Dylan Delvecchio who joined the Ballers for the second half of the season after helping Saint Mary's to their second ever NCAA Regional appearance back in June. Delvecchio finished with ten appearances and seven starts, recording his first win as a Baller on August 7th in an 11-4 victory over the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers. Delvecchio allowed just two hits and struck out eight batters over his six innings of work. The Oakland Ballers will continue to be a popular local spot for former Gaels to start their professional careers as the organization enters it's third year of existence.
The full release from the Oakland Ballers Pioneer League Championship can be found HERE or at pioneerleague.com. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
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