When one looks back at West Valley's 2024 season, it's hard not to look forward to the future. Arguably the greatest season in Vikings history ended with a third place state finish that is the cornerstone of a program foundation with an exceedingly bright future.
The Vikings finished 38-14, the best record since 2008, and stormed through the 3C2A NorCal playoffs to earn their second state final berth. Playing at the newly remodeled Valhalla Park, the gem of the California community college system, first-year coach Bobby Hill's squad rode an entertaining, high octane offense to unprecedented heights.
West Valley took the Coast-South Conference crown with a 16-4 record that included season sweeps of Cabrillo, Gavilan, Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula. Throw in 1-0 marks against Coast-North foes Canada, City College of San Francisco, College of San Mateo, De Anza and Skyline and a season of true dominance is illustrated.
The Vikings went undefeated in March, winning all 13 games in the midst of a 3C2A-high 17-game win streak. They earned the #3 NorCal playoff seed, swept #22 Reedley in the opening round of the 3C2A playoffs at Valhalla and then hosted the Super Regionals against Los Medanos and Folsom Lake.
In what was the most improbable, inspiring and shocking playoff weekend in WVC, and possibly 3C2A, baseball history, the Vikings came back to win three, two of the walk-off variety, games against the #6 Mustangs and #10 Folsom Lake in the Supers.
(Read more about the West Valley Super Regional tournament:
https://westvalley.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/releases/20240513l87j0u)
The Coast-South champion Vikings then hosted the Coast-North champion Gladiators of Chabot in the 3C2A Regional Final. WVC earned a state championship berth and the #1 north seed with a 2-1 series win over the Gladiators.
WVC opened the state tournament at Mt. San Antonio College with an 8-6 victory over south #2 Santa Ana. Hard-fought 11-7 and 10-8 losses to eventual champion Saddleback and San Joaquin Delta, respectively, sent the Vikings home earlier than expected, but with lifelong memories that go along with a season - and team – for the ages.
Heading into the state tournament, the Vikings boasted arguably the most explosive offense in the state. They topped the 3C2A in a state-high six offensive categories: batting average (.341), hits (603), RBI (438), runs (470), extra base hits (211), total bases (955) and doubles (133). WVC was 2nd in the state in slugging % (.540) and 3rd in OBP (.444) and home runs (63).
Jayce Dobie (.392, 65 hits, 12 HR, 57 RBI), and Logan Stelling (.357, 11 HR, 57 RBI) anchored the potent Viking attack, along with Alan Ramirez (.374, 9 HR, 53 RBI), James Bose (.380, 45 runs, 35 RBI), Ryan Lordier (.366, 58 runs, 35 RBI) and Dylan Unangst (.335 11 HR, 43 RBI). Stelling, Bose, Lordier and Ramirez each had 71 hits after the Regional Finals.
Colin Trizuto (10-3, 4.57 ERA) was the ace of the WVC pitching staff, and the Vikings had a shutdown bullpen, with Dillon Haftorson(2-2, 3 SV), Lincoln Juarez (5-2, 3 SV), Will Pires (2 SV) and Grant Selig (3-1, 2 SV, a team-low 3.15 ERA).
Dobie (pictured below) was named to the All-State team and was an All-Coast 1st Team selection. Bose (pictured) earned All-NorCal and All-Coast 1st Team honors. Joining Bose and Dobie on the All-Coast 1st Team were Trizuto (P), Unangst (1B) and Karter Wong (OF). Ramirez was a 2nd Team selection and Hill was the Coast-South Coach of the Year.
With four-year schools still in season, it's early in the recruiting cycle, but a large number of Vikings are expected to be offered scholarships to continue their playing and academic careers. Dobie heads to the University of Nevada (NCAA D1), Bose will head off to Loyola Marymount University (NCAA D1), Dom De Feo heads south to Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA D2), while Stelling will head east to the University of Memphis (NCAA D1). Wong will be playing in the Big West at Cal St. Northridge (NCAA D1).
Hill will see a large number of returning players in 2024-25 and will welcome a highly anticipated recruiting class as the Vikings look to use a magical 2024 as the first step in a journey to becoming a perennial NorCal and state powerhouse.
