2019 Father/Son Central
So Cal Quakes 18, San Diego Cerveceros 1
‘Seasoned Quakes Strike Early and Often for Fifth Ring in Nine Years’
By Rodney Johnson, special to MSBL
October 27, 2019, Tempe Diablo Stadium – The So Cal Quakes used a little luck to advance to the championship game but it didn’t leave anything to chance in the title tilt. “It was a broken bat single that gave us the game winning hit against the Rhode Island Cardinals,” explained Quakes manager John Love. The Quakes slipped by the Cardinals by a 6-5 score to earn a chance to play in the Father/Son Central finals. In the championship game, the Quakes led start to finish as they overwhelmed the San Diego Cerveceros 18-1.
So Cal scored in each of the first four innings as they built a 15-0 lead. The Quakes amassed 25 hits as they coasted to the title. It was a great day for the Locken family as Will went four-for-five at the plate with six RBI and his Dad Bill pitched the first four innings to earn the win. In spite of these two standout performances, the Quakes declined to name an MVP. “It was all of us together that did this,” said Love. The Quakes used 23 different players in its championship win. Sons Diego Salinas and Riley Manquen combined to pitch five shutout innings to close out the game. Diego’s Dad Manny contributed a three-for-four day at the plate with three RBI. Dale Eby, another Dad, chipped in with a four-for-four game and four RBI.
This championship ring was the fifth for the Quakes who started playing MSBL in 2011. So Cal has a natural recruiting cycle as manager John Love is a high school coach and most of his players come from teams he has led in the past who bring their dads to play.
“The majority of us stay together in the same house, eat together and just have a great time,” said Love. “It’s an awesome family event and we look forward to it every year.”
The trip to the finals started with an undefeated 4-0 march through pool play. The Quakes beat the Terre Haute Volkers 10-2 in the first round of the playoffs before beating the Cardinals in the semis.
The Cerverceros are made up of a family group that includes players from the San Diego area and East Los Angeles. It took this team six years to make it to a championship game. “We had a hiccup in our first game but came back to win our last three games in pool play,” explained manager Abraham Contreras. In the playoffs, San Diego edged TABU 3-2 and then beat the 3n2 Rangers 11-7 in the semis. “It’s been a team effort to get this far, not just one person,” said Contreras. “The fact that we are here with family and friends is what makes the whole experience memorable.”
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
San Diego 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1
So Cal 2 5 4 4 0 1 2 0 x 18 25 0
Pitching Line: (San Diego): O. Hernandez; Sr.; A. Salazar (2); J. Contreras (3); J. Arellano (4); S. Cervantez (5); A. Salazar (7); A. Ramirez (8); O. Hernandez Jr. (8).
(So Cal): B. Locken; D. Salinas (5); R. Manquen (8).
WP: V. Locken (So Cal)
LP: O. Hernandez Sr. (San Diego)
HR: none
3B: E. Ruiz (So Cal)
2B: A. Salazar Sr. (San Diego); W. Locken 2 (So Cal); M. Annuziato (So Cal).
Leading Hitters: (San Diego): Alfredo Salazar Sr. 3×4, R; Kenneth Waines 1×1; Henry Martinez 1×3; Julio Ramirez 1×2; Jose Arellano 1×2. (So Cal): Will Locken 4×5, 6 RBI; Manny Salinas 3×4, 3 RBI; John Love 2×2, RBI; Eddie Ruiz 2×2; Dale Eby 4×4, 4 RBI.
SAC: E. Ruiz (So Cal)
SF: J. Rosenblum (So Cal)
SB: none
DP: San Diego 1; So Cal 1
Team LOB: San Diego 12, So Cal 12
Time of Game: 2:39