Locke Baseball Team Enjoys Historic Season

The Locke High baseball team continues to make history as it prepares for its first playoff appearance since 1990.

The Saints improved to 15-5-1 Tuesday with an 11-7 victory over Jefferson. The win clinched the Coliseum League championship, believed to be the first baseball title in Locke history.

Locke’s 15 victories also are a school record, breaking the mark of 14 set last year when the Saints competed in the Eastern League and barely missed making the playoffs.

Third-year Coach Shannon Williams acknowledges that his team has benefited from league realignment that moved Locke’s improving program into the first-year Coliseum League. Williams, however, makes no apologies for his team’s success.

“We didn’t ask to be moved,” he said. “We can compete with anyone.”

Locke has been successful this season despite the loss of sophomore catcher Marques Pugh, who transferred to Anaheim Servite. Pugh, who played in the Returning Baseball to Innercities (RBI) youth program, was regarded as one of the best inner-city prospects in years.

Junior shortstop Harold Holbert, also a pro prospect, has helped fill the void, batting .553 with 28 runs batted in and 22 stolen bases. Senior infielder Baudelio Dorado is batting .517 with 37 RBIs, and senior infielder Jose Usquiano is batting .500 with 26 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Junior left-handers Luis Reyes (3-2) and Cristian Rojas (4-1) are Locke’s top pitchers.

“We just go out and play catch every game,” Williams said. “We don’t score a lot of runs, but we’re doing the little things that help you win.”

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Woodland Hills El Camino Real is the top-seeded team in the City Section boys’ tennis playoffs that continue today.

El Camino Real had a first-round bye.

Today’s quarterfinal matches: Van Nuys Grant at El Camino Real; Carson at Palisades; Dorsey at University; Granada Hills at Eagle Rock.