HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Westlake Gains El Segundo Final as Falsken Saves Wild 14-9 Win

Behind the pitching and the hitting of junior Tim Falsken, Westlake High vaulted into the final of the El Segundo tournament by defeating Edison, 14-9, Friday at home in a game that included 31 hits and eight errors.

The Warriors (4-0) will meet Culver City tonight at 7:30 at Recreation Park in El Segundo.

“I think people should realize that we’re not the doormats that we were in the past,” Westlake Coach Rich Herrera said. “We are going to give 100%. Every kid on this team is a hard worker.”

Westlake jumped to a 9-2 lead after two innings and then pulled away again after Edison (3-1) cut the deficit to 9-8 in the top of the fifth. But Falsken, who relieved Donnie Hill (1-0), struck out Don Smith with the tying run on base to close out the threat.

Falsken allowed one run on four hits and struck out four over the final 2 1/3 innings for his first save. The Warriors survived 17 Edison hits but countered with 14 hits, including three for extra bases.

Falsken had two hits, knocked in two runs and scored three. Catcher Mike Lieberthal was three for four with two runs scored and two runs batted in, and first baseman Mike Eby added two hits, knocked in two runs and scored two runs. Outfielder Keenan McAluney hit a two-run home run in the sixth, his first this year, and had three runs batted in.

“I didn’t feel like I was really on, but we have really good team unity,” Falsken said. “Westlake is notorious for not living up to its potential. But we have good defense, timely hitting. Our hitting has been a real surprise this year.”

Edison catcher Steve Thobe had three hits, including two home runs.