The Wilson baseball team is in a good position headed into the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals today at Bellflower High. First pitch is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
The Bruins (20-11-1) are riding high after their upset of Arcadia, they have a trio of available pitchers and they are familiar with Bellflower after playing twice during winter ball. Wilson coach Andy Hall said the Buccaneers play good defense under coach Keith Tripp.
“We’re just trying to play in the moment,” Hall said. “The game is the game, and we’re just going to try to do what we do well.”
Wilson won its first playoff game since 2015 in the first round, and is playing its first quarterfinal since 2011 when Chase De Jong led them to the semifinals.
“The kids know the history here, but I don’t think it matters to them,” Hall said. “They just love to play baseball and have fun with their friends. They want more of that.”
Wilson pitchers Ryan Pettway (34 innings, 1.65 ERA, 16 K, 26 BB), Nick Endres (49.1 innings, 3.12 ERA, 31 K, 13 BB) and Aiden Alaniz (42.1 innings, 1.65 ERA, 23 K, 7 BB) are all available for Hall.
Bellflower (14-14-1) is a wild card team that has only allowed two runs in three playoffs games. The Buccaneers edged Warren 1-0 to get into the first round, where they defeated Cantlell-Sacred Heart 4-1 on the road. They returned home to beat Capistrano Valley Christian 2-1 on Tuesday.
Senior Angel Garcia leads Bellflower with 32 hits and 19 runs scored. Seniors Garrett Gladney has scored 17 times, and has a team-high 17 RBIs. Bellflower ace Javier Gordo pitched a complete game in the second round, so the Buccaneers will likely start senior lefty Chris Reuter (61.2 innings, 3.18 ERA, 62 K, 26 BB).
