Chatsworth is hoping it’ll be a red-letter day

Chancellors turn to unexpected ace Roche vs. El Camino Real in bid for 10th City title.

There was a point in the 26-year coaching career of Chatsworth High’s Tom Meusborn when he had red hair.

“Back in the day,” Meusborn said.

Now he’ll be turning to a junior pitcher with red hair, Ryan Roche, to deliver a 10th City Section baseball championship for the Chancellors.

Chatsworth will play El Camino Real for the Division I title on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. The Division II final will match Franklin against Eagle Rock at 10 a.m.

It’s a West Valley League rivalry second to none in City Section Division I.

Meusborn has coached eight City champions but he’s only 1-5 against El Camino Real in title games. Roche is the surprise standout for the top-seeded Chancellors.

He rarely pitched as a sophomore. He wasn’t supposed to be a No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher this season with the return of Josh Garcia and Tommy Palomera. But a knee injury to Palomera opened the way for Roche, who is 9-0 and keeps throwing strikes.

“He competes,” Meusborn said.

Roche has wanted to pitch for Chatsworth at Dodger Stadium since he was in the fourth grade.

“I’ve been ready for this all year,” he said.

El Camino Real is seeded No. 2. Jordan Berg is expected to be on the mound for the Conquistadores, the defending City champs. The teams split their regular-season league series.

Perhaps the best players on the field will be playing catcher. El Camino Real’s Eric Yang is the co-City player of the year and headed to UC Santa Barbara. Chatsworth’s Daniel Zakosek had three hits in a semifinal win over Reseda Cleveland.

Both teams probably will need help out of the bullpen in what could be the decisive moment of the game. Chatsworth has Palomera ready to go. El Camino Real has the improving Elan Filous.

Admission is $10.