Wolf Pack dominating division IV playoffs

SANTEE —- The West Hills Wolf Pack are “boldly going where no one has gone before.” At least no one wearing their blue and gray.

The top-seeded Pack advanced to the CIF winners bracket final for the first time ever in record fashion, posting a school postseason mark of 18 runs to topple visiting Holtville, 18-0, in CIF Division IV playoff action Friday (June 10) at Wolf Pack Park. BOXSCORE

West Hills will host the winner of the other semifinal between Mission Vista and Mar Vista in Imperial Beach. The contest is slated for Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

The run total is the best among East County schools since Valhalla tallied 17 over three consecutive seasons a decade ago. The Norsemen toppled Mar Vista, 17-1, in 2010, then took out Helix in consecutive postseasons by an identical score in 2011 and ’12.

Kyle Dobyns, of West Hills, delivers to Holtville on Friday. / Vic Marano

Prior to that, the East County high is 23, when El Capitan obliterated Mission Bay, 23-9, in 2010.

The massive display of offense only slightly detracted from Pack pitcher Kyle Dobyns, who went six solid innings to gain the victory. Dobyns struck out eight Vikings batters, then  Braden Wilson tossed the seventh inning in the combined 1-hit shutout.

West Hills (14-17) saw left fielder Aaron Petersen batted a perfect 3-for-4 with a double and a walk, scoring all four times. Also recording doubles were Jacob Villanueva, Braden Wilson, and Evans.

Holtville (14-9), the fourth-place club from the Imperial Valley League, the lone hit was registered by first baseman Norbert Irungaray with a one-out single in the fourth — a clean, line base hit to center field.

Irungaray also drew a lead-off walk in the seventh, as Holtville attempted to avoid the shutout. However, West Hills capped the victory with a game-ending double play from shortstop Ryan Parker, who fired the ball to reserve second baseman Bryce Smith, who turned the pivot to complete the play to first baseman Ryan Rodgers.

West Hills needed just two batters to registered its initial hit, as center fielder Connor Evans launched the first pitch he faced out to center for a solo home run. Among the next five batters, four registered singles for three additional runs — including a 2-run knock by third baseman Evon Drake — and a 4-0 advantage.

The Pack later added three runs in the third, five in the fourth, and six in the fifth. in an 18-hit attack.