Woodbridge, led by Vincent DeMarco, coasts to CIF playoff home victory over Chino

Woodbridge players head off the field after Thursday’s victory. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge pitcher Vincent DeMarco said he felt pretty good about his team’s chances in the CIF playoffs.

Based on the Warriors effort in Thursday’s CIF Division 4 playoff opener, his optimism appears to be well-founded.

“I’m feeling great, I know the team is behind me,” DeMarco said. “We’re ready.”

DeMarco (8-1) pitched the first six innings, striking out four and allowing just two hits to lead Woodbridge to an 11-0 victory over Chino in the opening round Thursday at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Caden Camacho pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Warriors.

Woodbridge, which has won 11 in a row, will play Tuesday in the second round against Pacific Coast League rival Laguna Beach in Laguna.

“It’s a huge victory, I loved the way we were rolling in every aspect, no errors, the pitchers did great,” DeMarco said. “Offense was right where we needed it to be, it was a great team victory. We have a lot of momentum going into next week too.”

DeMarco, asked about his performance, said.

“Stuff was there.It was pretty electric, I will give it almost a 10, maybe 9.5 out of 10,” he said.

Woodbridge wound up with 10 hits.

“It’s always good when the offense is going behind you,” DeMarco said. “It kind of takes the stress off of you on the mound. I just go and collect outs.”

Chino, a league champion, had the first two runners on in the first inning but DeMarco was able to work out of trouble and as a result of a passed ball on a strikeout, recorded four outs in the inning.

“I was proud of the way Vince composed himself in that first inning,” Woodbridge Coach Ryan Brucker said. “We had two runners get on early and Vince just stuck to his guns and waas able to strike out the next three guys and that’s what you want from a senior.

“For him to set the tone in the first inning, that was a big deal and to come back and get two runs, I’m real happy with how the whole team approached the game. I thought our at bats were very good. We forced them to make plays and compete.”

In the botttom of the first inning, DeMarco reached on an error and scored on a double by JJ Metcalf. Henry Uhrik followed with an RBI double to put the Warriors ahead 2-0 against Chino starter Grant Kuns-Vasquez.

Woodbridge (19-10) scored two more runs in the second inning. Kyle Underwood doubled to drive in Caden Camacho. DeMarco then had an RBI single to put Woodbridge ahead 4-0.

In the third inning, Woodbridge broke the game open with four more runs. Lucas Render had an RBI single, Underwood walked with the bases loaded and DeMarco had another RBI single to make it 8-0.

Woodbridge substituted freely in the sixth inning and added three more runs.

Giovanni Tazza and Vasquez-Grant had the only hits for Chino (17-4). The Cowboys won the Mt. Baldy League championship.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com