Harvard-Westlake baseball holds off San Dimas to move on to Division 1 semifinals

ENCINO — The Harvard-Westlake baseball team held off a relentless San Dimas offense that nearly tied the game in the seventh inning to earn a 5-4 win in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.

“Our goal is to win CIF,” Wolverines leadoff hitter Bryce Rainer said. “And if we keep doing what we’re doing, I think we’re in pretty good shape.”

The Wolverines (26-4-1) will play at Orange Lutheran in the semifinals on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.

Rainer went 2 for 3 at the plate with two runs and a stolen base against San Dimas (15-5) while pitcher Duncan Marsten threw a complete game for the first time in his career. He recorded five strikeouts and allowed five hits.

“It’s nice to know that I can go the distance, stay healthy and also compete at the same time,” Marsten said. “There were parts that didn’t really go my way. But the help that I had was insane.”

Jude Favela’s solo home run was part of San Dimas’ final offensive push in the seventh inning and Vaughn Coleman hit an RBI single to come within a run of tying the score.

Harvard-Westlake’s defense came up big as third baseman Jack Laffitte threw to Miguel Villegas at first for the groundout that ended the game.

“Inches at first to get our three-hole guy up in the last inning,” San Dimas co-coach Mark Chiapelli said. “We just kept coming back. That’s what they did all year. These kids are relentless.”

Coleman and Kasen Khansarinia were able to get two hits off of Marsten to begin the first inning and Coleman scored on a fielder’s choice, but the Wolverines’ ace and defense kept the Saints off base for the next three innings.

Marsten provided a spark for the offense, too, in the fourth inning. Rainer hit a leadoff single, then James Tronstein hit a sacrifice bunt to move him to second. Cade Goldstein and Jack Laffitte were both walked to load the bases before Marsden’s single drove in two runs.

“It was nice to do it myself, I’ll say that,” Marsten said. “I definitely needed a little pick-me-up after that (start), but it was a nice feeling.”

A sacrifice fly by Miguel Villegas scored Asher Bunnin, who was pinch-running for Laffitte, and gave Harvard-Westlake a 3-1 advantage.

Bunnin and Nate Blum, who batted eighth on Friday, are two freshmen who are gaining varsity experience after starting catcher Drew Rico was sidelined due to a wrist injury.

“If you cultivate and you push competition always, then when it’s someone’s opportunity and they jump in, they answer the call,” Harvard-Westlake coach Jared Halpert said.

Coleman brought the score to 3-2 with an RBI single that pushed Favela across home plate in the top of the fifth inning. San Dimas left two on base as the frame came to a close.

Favela, a USC commit, also pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Saints and allowed four hits.

The Wolverines extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ira Rootman reached second base on an error, then Rainer doubled to send him home. Rainer stole third and Goldstein singled for a run that gave Harvard-Westlake a 5-2 advantage and enough runs to extend the playoff run.

“What else am I thinking about but a ring right now? Everyone wants one senior season,” Marsten said. “Let’s go out with a bang.”

Other scores from Friday

Beckman 6, Newbury Park 1

Colony 5, Viewpoint 1

Village Christian 7, West Covina 0

Azusa 9, Santa Clarita Christian 1

St. Francis 4, Paraclete 1

Moorpark 2, Crean Lutheran 1

Hart 3, Arlington 1

Arcadia 2, Westlake 1