Woodbridge advances to first CIF-SS title game
CULVER CITY – Four years ago, the Woodbridge baseball team finished with an abysmal 5-21 record and a group of freshmen got the bitter taste of losing etched into their memory.
Four years later, Woodbridge is headed to its first CIF baseball final in school history after defeating Culver City, 2-1, on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals at Culver City High.
“It’s a credit to everybody on our staff, in our baseball program and our parents,” Warriors coach Tim Murray said. “You can’t do things by yourself and, yeah, we did finish 5-21 in that first year, but each year we set our goals high and the ultimate goal is always to win a CIF championship.”
The Warriors (19-11) will face Pacific Coast League rival Beckman in the championship game Thursday at Dodger Stadium. The Patriots ousted the division’s top seed, Bonita of La Verne, 8-2, on Tuesday.
Culver City finished the season 16-13-1.
Woodbridge lost three out of four meetings against the Pacific Coast League champions during the regular season, getting shut out twice.
“Beckman’s a heck of a team,” Murray said. “They’ve beaten us a few times and we’d definitely like another shot at them.”
Senior Brandon Horth, who came into the game with a 0.93 ERA, pitched a complete-game gem for the Warriors. He was a freshman during the 5-21 season and he credited his coach for the position the team is in today.
“This feels amazing,” Horth said. “Freshman year we knew we had a great group of guys and (coach) Murray basically developed our group into team we have here today.”
Horth gave up one earned run, walked three and struck out four. He gave up five hits in the first two innings but did not surrender another one for the rest of the game.
“This (Culver City) is a good fastball-hitting team,” Horth said. “I had to work my curveball, work my changeup and get these guys out on their front foot and get them to roll the ball over.”
Horth did have to work out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh after he gave up a one-out walk to Culver City shortstop Christopher Caines on four pitches. That drew a mound visit from Murray to try settle down his ace, never thinking about a pitching change.
“This is high school baseball and you are going to lose with your ace,” Murray said. “There was no way I was taking him out. I walked up to the mound and just made him laugh because, what you want your kids to be in that situation is loose.”
Horth proceeded to get the next batter to fly out to right and then got right fielder Rodney Bradley to ground out to first to send the Warriors into the finals for the first time.
Senior center fielder Ben Wylly, who came into the game with a .396 batting average, went 2 for 3 and scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning for the Warriors.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Wylly said. “Four years ago we were 5-21 and now we are going to the finals. I’m so excited I can’t even talk.”
