The562’s football coverage for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The Long Beach Poly baseball team is heading into 2026 with renewed championship expectations under second-year head coach Soloman Williams. The Jackrabbits have won three of the last six Moore League titles but had a tough 2024 before Williams was able to guide them to a 16-14 overall season and a third-place finish in league last year.
This season the Jackrabbits feature senior shortstop and UCLA commit Tate Hammond as well as flamethrower Ryan King, a Bakersfield commit, on the mound.
“Right now we know that we got third place the last two years and the only way to show that we’re a top program again like we were under coach (Brent) Lavoie is we gotta go beat those teams and win the league,” said Williams. “We have a chip on our shoulder–we know that people look past us sometimes.”
It’s hard to imagine people looking past the Jackrabbits this year with the blend of experienced and up-and-coming talent on their roster. Hammond is a big name in Southern California with the UCLA commit, as well as a number of big showcase performances including at the BBG All-American Game, where he was named the Offensive MVP.
“I’m extremely blessed for all the opportunities, and this year I’m just trying to have fun with my guys,” said Hammond. “We have a small senior class and it’s all guys I’ve been playing with for the last four years.”
Hammond said that the Jackrabbits are having a lot of fun together as a group, but that there’s a shared urgency around winning this year.
“Obviously we want to win badly,” he said. “I haven’t won it myself–Poly won my freshman year but I haven’t won it. We’re a get dirty, hustle, gritty team, that’s who we are.”
Williams is high on Hammond and what he brings to the table as a player and as a leader.
“He’s had a year of development and getting stronger, he’s really put his head down and work towards his goal of being a Division 1 and future professional player,” said Williams. “He makes plays on the bases, he hits for power even against the top competition in the nation. He’s our team leader.”
On the mound, King has taken a big jump this year with that power fastball and has been living in the 90s even deep into games–but Williams said he’s more than just a hard thrower.
“Everyone in baseball, college and scouts have noted how improved he is,” said Williams. “He’s taller, he’s stronger, he throws harder, the slider is nastier. He’s just more mature as a pitcher.”
The Jackrabbits will also have Damian Marques and Malakai Pruitt on the mound this season.
Behind the dish is junior Caleb Safotu, another leader on the team who has gotten stronger and is a much more mature hitter and catcher.
Around the infield are first baseman Will Trunnelle, second baseman Braylen Reyes (a talented sophomore who will move to short next year), and third basemen Ayden Nakamura and AZ Zuger.
“(Trunnelle) is an athletic, the type of first baseman that I love because he’s not just ‘sit back and bang,’ he can run and bunt and play good defense,” said Williams. “
In the outfield are Fausto Gaxiola III, Marquez, Neil Morris, and Evan Bagley.
“(Gaxiola III) can hit and will do anything a coach asks,” said Williams. “He’s just mashing the ball right now. (Morris) checks all the boxes for a scout–speed, power, he’s in his first year on varsity so he may have some growing pains but we really think he’s going to be a big factor with his arm, speed, and power.”
Williams said he’s seen big strides from his players over the last year-plus, and that he’s excited to see them in action.
“We’re a deeper team than we were last year and I think we have a really good chance to compete for the Moore League,” said Williams. “As always it will come down to pitching and execution to score runs in those tight games. We’ve spent a lot of time over the Summer and Winter thinking about what changes we need to make to not just have a good swing, but to score runs and have a well-rounded offense.”
Projected Starters
P: Ryan King (Sr.) / Damian Marquez (Sr.) / Malakai Pruitt (Jr.)
C: Caleb Safotu (Jr.)
1B: Will Trunnelle (Jr.)
2B: Braylen Reyes (So.)
SS: Tate Hammond (Sr.)
3B: Ayden Nakamura (Jr.) / AZ Zuger (So.)
OF: Fausto Gaxiola III (Sr.)
OF: Damian Marquez (Sr.)
OF: Neil Morris (Jr.) / Evan Bagley (So.)
