For the first time in program history, the Woodland Christian High School varsity baseball team has clinched a berth into the Division VII CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship game.
The No. 1 Cardinals (22-4) completed a sweep of No. 4 Turlock Christian (14-7) Wednesday night at Mark de la Motte Field. Woodland Christian won Game 1 of the best of three semifinals series 9-2 on Monday at Joseph Trafican Memorial Field.
“The entire time we felt like we were in control,” recalled coach John Rodegderts. “If you go back to most of the games we’ve played throughout the year, especially in these playoffs, we’ve always been able to answer the opponent’s score in the next half inning. We talk about that constantly, we’re always trying to win the inning. We talked about that during the game when they got to 7-3, ‘This is the time we got to step on the gas pedal, don’t back off.’ That’s when our hitting started stroking.”
Entering the seventh inning Wednesday in Turlock, the Cardinals led 7-3 after the Eagles scored once in the bottom of the sixth. Woodland Christian proceeded to tally 11 runs in the final frame to lock up the victory. The Cardinals scored 3 in the fifth and once in each of the first, third, fourth and sixth innings.
“It was very close at the beginning. I feel like we were a little nervous in the beginning, but towards the end of the game, we started hitting the ball really well and picking it up. Every time they scored we came back, scored more runs and just kept winning,” said senior outfielder Gabriel Sanchez. “My goal was to get two rings in one year. It just feels great that we made sections and we need to get the job done.”
All nine Woodland Christian batters recorded at least 1 hit. Jayden Badhesha rebounded from a hitless performance two days prior. The sensational sophomore first baseman was 3-for-5 with a game-high 4 runs batted in, 2 triples and 2 runs scored.
After drawing 6 walks over the previous two contests, junior second baseman Jeffrey Nannini began barreling the ball with a 3-for-5 evening, contributing 2 RBI, 2 runs and 1 double. Senior right-handed pitcher Wyatt Bickel, junior outfielder Gary Mann and sophomore shortstop Jordan Villanueva respectively racked up multiple hits. Bickel, Mann, Sanchez, senior third baseman Abriean Eredia and junior catcher Ethan Howald added 1 RBI each.
“It was weird because typically you’re very nervous in that last inning. But after we scored 11 on them, it would have taken a miracle for them to beat us,” Rodegerdts explained. “So it was a little more relaxed, we just had to get through the inning.”
In the most important game of his career, Bickel (6-2) earned the victory on the bump. “The Machine” pitched 6.0 frames and allowed 4 hits, 3 unearned runs, 2 walks and 1 hit by pitch with 10 strikeouts on 103 pitches. Junior RHP Wyatt Trafican closed the game in the seventh and allowed 1 walk on 7 pitches.
“From the time that I walked in the gate, (Bickel) was really focused and I knew he was gonna dominate,” Sanchez recalled. “He set the tone in my opinion, he did really well.”
Top seed Woodland Christian will play No. 3 Valley Christian (15-9) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the D7 CIF SJS title game held at Union Stadium.
“Our goal is the championship on Tuesday, our goal wasn’t just to get there. It wasn’t a big celebratory thing because there’s still more to go. If we win the section, then you’re gonna see the celebration. Right now, it’s still business,” Rodegerdts foreshadowed. “I’m worried about Valley Christian because they’re always a very good baseball team. Brad (Gunter Jr.) is a great coach, he’s been there forever and has won his fair share of titles.”
With Sanchez starting at quarterback, the Cardinals shutout the Lions 50-0 on Oct. 20. After leading Woodland Christian to its first football section championship at Sacramento City College in November, the superb senior is determined to depart high school with another ring.
“I heard that they have a good pitcher but we’re going into this game really focused,” Sanchez foretold. “We can’t get all hyped up because this is our first section. We just need to stay focused and get the job done.”
