Wolf Pack snap Sultans’ 14-game win streak, create tie

By Bill Dickens
Updated: May 6, 2016

West Hills pitcher Aaron Barkley registered his fifth save of the game on this final pitch of Thursday's GVL victory over visiting Santana. Barkley, who signed with Mississippi Valley State following his last start, also stroked an RBI double in the 3rd inning for a 2-0 advantage. / photo by Zack Sandoval, Sr.

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

SANTEE (5-6-16) — The host West Hills Wolf Pack capitalized on four Santana errors and the strong arm pitching of GABRIEL SCHUBERT and AARON BARKLEY Thursday (May 5) to upset the Sultans 2-1, creating a tie for first place in the Grossmont Valley League race.

The Pack took advantage of two errors by No. 8 ranked Santana in the first inning to push across the go ahead run.

Santana ace DAULTON BARRY put the brakes on the rally as he struck out the side.

West Hills’ Sammy Sandez (right) takes third base following a deep fly ball to left field on Thursday in Santee. / photo by Zack Sandoval, Sr.

But it wasn’t enough as West Hills snapped Santana’s 14-game winning streak.

Barry has seen better days for the Sultans but came out throwing strikes. He fanned 5, walked 2 and allowed only 5 hits and 2 runs in the losing effort which dropped his record to 5-2.

The Wolf Pack rode its way to victory lane as Schubert gave up only one earned run in 4 1/3 innings. Barkley slammed the door, striking out 3 to earn his 4^thsave in 2 2/3 innings.

“We were able to clutch up when the opportunity presented itself,” said Barkley. “I stayed with my fastball most of the time and mixed in a few changeups. By winning this game was a big momentum factor. If we can win on Friday (May 6) we’ll be sitting in a good position.

“We’ve really got the momentum going on our side and it’s real important that we keep it going,” added Barkley, who only allowed one hit in shutout relief.

West Hills took the lead in the third inning when SAMMY SANDEZ singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by BRADEN SANFORD, and scored on a double by Barkley.

“We had a lot of chances but you have to clutch up when you get a chance to make an impact,” Barkley noted. Barkley belted a one-out double to score Sandez, which at the time gave West Hills a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

“Barkley is a nugget,” said Pack coach MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. “You can always count on him to make the big play.”

Barkley has signed a scholarship opportunity to the Mississippi Valley State University.

“That’s a great opportunity for him but I think he could do more by getting drafted,” said Deutschman.

Santana’s lone tally came in the fourth inning. JACOB ODENKIRK slashed a triple and two outs later scored on a base hit by NIK MORA.

Grossmont Valley League
WOLF PACK 2, SULTANS 1
Santana        ab r h bi West Hills    ab r h bi
Salinas cf-p    4 0 1 0  Sandez lf      3 2 2 0
Hernandez 2b    2 0 0 0  Sanford 1b-c   1 0 0 0
Nunez rf        2 0 0 0  Barkley c-p    2 0 1 1
Odenkirk lf     4 1 1 0  Lewis 1b       3 0 0 0
Rasmusson ss    3 0 1 0  Wilson dh      2 0 0 0
Alesi 1b        2 0 1 0  Alvarez dh     1 0 0 0
Calvert pr      0 0 0 0  Jewell 2b-ss   3 0 1 0
Ellis dh        2 0 1 0  Anderson cf    1 0 1 0
Jackson cf      0 0 0 0  ZSandoval 3b   3 0 1 0
Mora c          3 0 1 1  Carlin rf      3 0 0 0
Miller 3b       3 0 0 0
TOTALS         25 1 6 1  TOTALS        22 2 6 1

  Santana    (19-3, 6-1) 000 100 0 – 1 6 4
  West Hills (14-7, 6-1) 101 000 x - 2 6 1

GWRBI-None.
E-Rasmusson, Salinas 2, Lewis, Alesi. 
LOB-Sant 7, WH 6. 2B-Barkley. 3B-Odenkirk. 
S-Hernandez, Jackson, Anderson, Sanford. 

PITCHING SUMMARY
Santana            ip  h  r er bb so
 Barry  L(5-2)    4+   5  2  1  2  5
 Salinas          2.0  1  0  0  1  3
West Hills
 Schubert W(1-0)  4.3  5  1  1  4  1
 Barkley Sv(4)    2.2  1  0  0  0  3
(Barry faced one batter in the 5^th.)