Santa Susana Starts Fast, Finishes Early

This time Santa Susana wasn’t about to leave anything to chance.

After nearly wasting a big lead the previous day against Van Nuys Notre Dame, Santa Susana routed Westside, 13-1, on Friday night in the American Legion Area 6 playoffs at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Brandon Vorhees of Simi Valley High went five for five and drove in six runs for Santa Susana (22-5-1). He hit a two-run home run, three doubles and a single.

“I felt really good tonight,” Vorhees said. “I was seeing the ball well the whole game. Playing in a good ballpark helps me see the ball.”

Vorhees doubled as part of a two-run rally in the first inning and chased Westside’s Evan Faught with a bases-loaded double in the second.

Brett Wayne (3-0) scattered nine hits and struck out six in a game shortened to seven innings because of the 10-run rule.

That provided a much-needed boost to Santa Susana’s pitching staff.

“It’s real good for us because we’ve only had to play two games and it saves our arms,” said Wayne, who had three hits.

Santa Susana, which is 2-0 in the double-elimination tournament, has a bye today and won’t play again until noon Sunday.

That means Santa Susana will be able throw a well-rested Mike Byer, the team’s top pitcher, Sunday.

But Wayne realizes there it isn’t time to celebrate yet.

“We’re feeling real confident, but we know we still have work to do,” he said.