Top-seeded Wolf Pack make playoff impact

SANTEE —- Connor Evans, Ryan Rodgers, and Ezekiel Sadler — the 2-3-4 hitters in the West Hills lineup — combined for seven RBI Wednesday (June 9), leading the top-seeded Wolf Pack to victory in their San Diego Section CIF Division IV opener by dunking Morse, 12-4, at Wolf Pack Park.

Evans, the right fielder, finished with three RBI, driving in a pair of a second-inning triple to give the hosts a 4-0 lead.

The rally started on a lead home run by Braden Wilson to center field. West Hills then tacked on seven additional runs in the fourth to make it an 11-0 romp.

Rodgers, the third baseman, and Sadler, the designated hitter, added drove in two runs each.

Rodgers’ RBI came without the aid of a hit, lifting a sacrifice fly and accepting a bases-loaded walk. Sadler’s RBI was more traditional, coming on a two-run single during the big rally in the fourth.

Meanwhile, a key to a potential long postseason run for West Hills may be pitcher Eron Drake,,  who won his first game of the season after striking out six Tigers batters.

After just joining the list of starters in the final week of May, Drake’s complete-game effort saved valuable innings for the Pack’s top arms, including top dog Kyle Dobyns.

West Hills (13-17 overall) also stole three bases, including thefts by Jacob Villanueva, Shane Mailloux, and Parker.

Morse (20-7), the No. 9 seed and champions of the Central League, saw leadoff batter Alex Leyna continue to dominate at the plate, batting 4-for-4 with three RBI. However, he never scored as the Tigers’ 2-3-4 batters were held in check by Evans.

The Tigers, following a minor upset of Foothills Christian in the play-in contest, next meets the loser between Mission Bay and Holtville in an elimination contest. West Hills host the winner of that game on Friday at 3:30 p.m.