By Brandon Petersen
Those unfamiliar with the Warriors' seeding at the 2024 Cal Pac baseball championships may have been scratching their heads at the start of Wednesday's 6-3, tournament-opening win over Park.
Camden Cooper toed the rubber, rather than Warriors' ace Eddie Rios.
But the move by Westcliff skipper Dylan Hoffman was one of confidence, in Cooper and his team — and strategy — because if it worked out, the Warriors would be set up for their best chance at tournament success.
As planned, Cooper was fantastic, and when he slowed, Kyle Douphner picked up right where the starter left off and the Warriors cruised to the win.
Now, Westcliff will grab some lunch, head back to the hotel and cool down before returning to Hohokam Stadium to face Ben U, the No. 1 seed and tournament host, who the Warriors will face at 4:30 (3:30 in Orange County).
Pitching against the Redhawks, who eliminated Westcliff a year ago before finishing runner-up to champion UAV, will be Rios, fresh off a Tuesday banquet that saw him claim both first team Cal Pac honors and — as expected — the Cal Pac Pitcher of the Year award.
Douphner was also recognized for his outstanding season by claiming All Cal Pac honors, and Cooper has been about as good a No. 2 starter as could have been asked of him heading into the campaign.
Cooper scattered seven hits over four and two-thirds, allowing just two earned while striking out eight, including three of the first four he faced in setting a strong tone.
Douphner allowed just two hits over three and two-thirds innings of work, allowing one earned and striking out five.
Ben Weller came in with the bases loaded and the tying run at the dish in the ninth and shut Park down to collect the save.
Three runs surrendered. Strikeouts in the double digits. Rios saved for Ben U.
Just like Hoffman drew it up.
"We trusted Cooper to go in and get the job done," he said. "Now we have Rios set up to go get it done against Ben U.
"The guys are hungry. The guys really want it."
That was obvious from the jump Wednesday, as the Warriors in no way resembled the comparatively timid club that dipped its toe into Cal Pac championship play for the first time a year ago.
This year, the Warriors were the grizzled, veteran team led by spark plug Eddie Rivero, who never lets his team slack spiritually from the dugout.
Caleb Castanchoa scratched two on the board in the bottom of the first when he sent a blooper to no-man's land that dropped, scoring both Micah Wallette and Nick Malvini.
In the bottom of the second, Miguel Espana scored on a Damien Holmes single that the fleet-footed outfielder turned into a Little League homer with a little help from a Park error in right.
Malivini scored Wallette in the fifth on a single to center, and Castanchoa sac-flied home Oscar Juarez in the seventh to give Westcliff a 6-2 lead heading into the final two frames.
"Why not now? Why not us?" Hoffman asked. "We had a long, enduring season where we had our backs to the wall. The biggest thing is, we treat each other with respect, we have a family here, we've built a great culture.
"Our motto still stands: One inning at a time. One pitch at a time. Next guy up."
If the Warriors can pull off the upset over Ben U, they will find themselves in the driver's seat as they look to win their first Cal Pac championship.
If they play with the same selfless, team-first mentality they showed in Game 1, behind Rios, they should find themselves in a good ball game they have every opportunity to win.
"(We'll need) a lot of gritty," Hoffman said. "We need to trust each other. Execute the bunts. Execute the hit-and-run. Small ball. Ball in the dirt, just get that next guy up.
"With Rios going against Ben U, we are right where we need to be."
All that's left is execution.
2024 All Cal Pac Baseball Awards
Pitcher of the Year
First Team
Honorable Mention
Champion of Character
