Venice High Baseball Team Eyes Championship Game at Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, CA — Venice High School’s baseball team, the Gondoliers, captured attention after their latest playoff victory, moving them closer to a potential championship game at Dodger Stadium. The team, boasting a 27-2 record, will face Sylmar in the semifinals at Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

In their previous match, Venice secured a 4-1 win against Chatsworth, highlighted by a home run from Canon King, a standout player who expressed excitement about the team’s progress. “This feels great. We’ve worked so hard for four years,” King said after his crucial hit, which marked his sixth home run of the season.

Coach Kevin Brockway leads a talented roster of 16 seniors, looking to achieve the school’s first upper division championship since 1972. Venice received the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, driven by an undefeated 18-0 record in the Western League.

King, a three-time Western League MVP, plans to attend Cal State San Marcos and has maintained high academic standards throughout his high school career. “The energy is infectious,” he said, praising the team’s chemistry and productivity in practice.

Opposing them in the semifinals is Sylmar, who aims to return to the championship after competing at Dodger Stadium two years ago. Pitcher Alex Martinez, who has thrown a shutout in the playoffs, acknowledged the unique atmosphere of the stadium. “It’s overwhelming for sure. It looks different, even when the ball is up in the air,” he said.

As the Gondoliers prepare for their next challenge, King remains optimistic and understands the significance of not just winning, but also the experience of playing at Dodger Stadium. “The thought of making it there is surreal for me,” he shared.