HS boys baseball preview: Langham Creek vs. MacArthur

Langham Creek will battle MacArthur in boys baseball action on Thursday.
                   
Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Langham Creek.

"They have a pretty good pitching staff," MacArthur coach Ernest Gonzales said. "I think they’re a little suspect hitting-wise, but they get on base well. They steal a lot of bases."

Gonzales pointed to Lobos starters Brandon Montalvo and Logan Onda as guys for whom his hitters would need to be ready. Onda will be the one staring in when the series opens Thursday night. The Generals will counter with Darius Charbonneau, who led the team in wins and ERA this season.

"The ball doesn’t know who’s favored," Gonzales said, referring to the likelihood that most consider his squad the underdog. "I’ve heard some people say it’s almost like a bye playing 18-5A. We think we have a chance, but we will have to play as one."

Langham Creek coach Armando Sedeno acknowledges that his team is probably viewed as the favorite, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

"That is the kiss of death," Sedeno said. "We’ve just got to stay focused on what Langham Creek does and not anyone else. It’s handled itself so far."

The history between these coaches should add at least a bit of intrigue to the games as well. The two have known each other for more than 20 years and are good friends.

"I knew him when his hair was dark and we both wore size-32 pants," Sedeno said. "We go back a long way. He knows me pretty good. I know him pretty good. It’s going to be a good series."

The series will open on a somber note, however. A moment of silence will honor the memory of Gonzales' nephew Bill Gonzales II, who died in a car accident last week. Bill Gonzales, the younger Bill's father, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
                       
Langham Creek has a 23-5-0 record on the season and is 13-4-0 in district play. On Friday, Langham Creek beat Cy Springs, 27-2.    

MacArthur is 17-9-0 on the year and 8-4-0 in district. On Friday, MacArthur beat Nimitz, 10-7.
               
After Thursday’s game, the two teams meet again on Friday.