Horth, Woodbridge shut down CdM, 3-1

IRVINE - Woodbridge, behind pitcher Brandon Horth’s 10 strikeouts, came out on top against visiting Corona del Mar, 3-1, in a Pacific Coast League matchup Tuesday.

Woodbridge sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring one run on Brandon Smith’s sacrific fly and one run on a balk by Eric Morris.

Warriors coach Tim Murray spoke highly of his senior pitcher, saying, “Whenever Brandon Horth is on the mound you’ve got a great chance to win ... That’s the guy you want with the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.”

That was the case in the seventh inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Horth struck out Cort Hastings to end the game.

Corona del Mar (11-8, 5-5) scored in the second inning when a bases-loaded walk brought home Aaron White. The Sea Kings' rally was helped by one of the four errors committed by Woodbridge (11-10, 5-5).

“We need to get better defensively,” Murray said. “How you respond to that mistake is the true testament of a good player.”

That attitude has trickled down to the Warriors' players.

“You can’t think about (the errors) too much, you just have to pound the (strike) zone ... you know your guys are gonna bounce back," said Horth.

Ben Wylly went 3 for 3 at the plate with one run scored. Horth helped his cause in the fourth inning, knocking in Forrest Djavaherian to put the Warriors up 3-1.