Wolf Pack pitchers welcome support

Special to EastCountySports.com

SAN DIEGO (4-3-2018) – The West Hills High pitching staff has posted numbers as solid as almost any ballclub in the East County this season. But with little support, the Wolf Pack staff earned just a pair of victories in March.

April has already discovered a turnaround.

Backed by season-highs in runs and hits, plus just one miscue of substance from the defense, three Pack pitchers combined on a 2-hitter to splinter host San Diego High, 13-3, in Monday’s (Apr. 2) GMC Tournament contest by the Old Grey Castle.

Starting pitcher Kai Dennis was staked to an 11-0 lead, including five runs in the first inning to chase the Cavers’ starter before Dennis ever took the mound.

“It’s good for the team that everyone played good,” said Dennis, who gained the designated victory. “It’s good to get the lead early.”

Scoring in their opening trip to the plate for only the second time all season, the Pack’s quick start saw the first three batters reach base, following by an RBI single by Andrew Ritayik then Gavin Kondyra was hit by a pitch to drive in another run.

Larry “Chris” Schroeder added a sacrifice fly, then a pair of San Diego errors made it 5-0 out of the gate.

Meanwhile, Dennis fired three innings of no-hit ball before getting lifted because of his pitch count. But leading by double-digit runs, Dennis will be eligible to pitch for West Hills (3-9), if needed, in Wednesday’s final tournament pool play game at home against University City (8-6). Game time is 3:30 p.m.

Peyton Honick pitched the balance of the fourth inning, surviving a 2-error play which allowed two runs to score. Finally, Landon Bailey fired the final three innings without allowing a hit to garner the save against the Cavers (4-8).

Kondyra capped the team’s explosion of offense with a solo home run to right field in the sixth.

The top of the West Hills batting order was in gear.

Leadoff batter Cody Pedrero went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a walk, scoring all three times.

Dennis also went 2-for4 batting second, registered three RBI. Included was a 2-run single in third, then intentionally grounding out to the right side in the fifth to allow a runner on third base to score.

No. 3 hitter Devin Bevilacqua reached base three times on walks or getting hit by a pitch. He scored twice, while Ritayik went 2-for-4. Each scored twice, as the top four batters scored a composite nine times.

Kondyra’s two runs in the 5-hole made it 11 markers among the top five, a consistency the team failed to achieve all season.

Schroeder also added a 2-run single, giving him three RBI for the cloudy afternoon underneath the landing path at Lindbergh  Field.