PHOTOS: Irvine stays alive for CIF playoffs with PCL victory over Laguna Hills

Tate Zimmerman of Irvine drives in two runs to put the Vaqueros ahead. (Photos courtesy Jim Tomlin, For OC Sports Zone).

Irvine High School’s baseball team kept its playoff hopes alive with a 6-1 Pacific Coast League victory over Laguna Hills Thursday at Irvine.

The Vaqueros (8-16, 6-9) are tied with Laguna Hills and University for the fourth CIF playoff spot, according to Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota.

“We needed this one to stay in the hunt,” said Cota. “Darren Shen got his first start of the year and threw very well. Drake Brito (freshman) came in in relief to get the save. We were shut down early by their guy, but were able to get some big hits late to get the win.”

To see the slide show, click on the first picture:

Irvine's Mihir Dhodia made two diving catches in left field.

Sophomore Darren Shen started and pitched well for Irvine.

Billy Schellenberg of Laguna Hills waits for a pitch.

Jeremiah Gedeon of Irvine kept a rally alive with a single.

Kyler Fitzpatrick of Laguna Hills pitched a shutout for four innings.

Bryan Wilhelm keeps a rally for Irvine with a sharp single to drive in Tate Zimmerman.

Reliever Drake Brito fires a pitch for Irvine.

Bryan Wilhelm was 2 for 3 with an RBI, Ian Hew was 2 for 3 with two runs scored, Tate Zimmerman was 1 for 3 with two RBI and Mihir Dhodia was 1 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Shen pitched five innings, allowing one earned run and striking out two and Brito got the save, pitching two innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out four.

The teams play again Monday at Laguna Hills.