Baseball: Harvard-Westlake turns to No. 2 pitcher Michael Vokulich

One of the most intriguing questions of the Southern Section Division 1 baseball playoffs is can Harvard-Westlake win without ace Jack Flaherty on the mound?

Flaherty is 10-0 this season and threw a no-hitter in Friday’s playoff opener.

Now the Wolverines must turn to their No. 2 pitcher, senior Michael Vokulich, for Tuesday’s second-round game on the road against Huntington Beach Edison and ace Noah Kronfly.

Last season, a big reason why Harvard-Westlake was able to win the Division 1 title was the ability of No. 2 pitcher Conor Cuse to throw well enough to pick up a couple of playoff victories and enable Coach Matt LaCour to give the ball to Flaherty in the championship game at Dodger Stadium.

The Wolverines are trying to pull it off again. If Vokulich can throw at least five innings on Tuesday, Flaherty could be called upon in relief, then pitch again in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Vokulich is 6-3 with a 2.52 ERA.