File photo by Phoebe Becker – South Fork freshman pitcher Cody Wheeler got his second win of the season against Laytonville on Thursday.

Freshman pitcher Cody Wheeler got his second win of the spring on the mound on Thursday as the South Fork Cubs outclassed Laytonville 20-0 in five innings in a non-league baseball showdown.

This is the first time the Warriors have fielded a team in five years.

The victory for the Cubs over another Division-6 team will help their playoff ambitions as they improved to 9-9 on the season.

It will also give them some momentum heading into a big doubleheader on Friday at Ferndale, the top ranked D-6 team in the North Coast Section.

Wheeler pitched four innings and gave up just two hits and a walk and struck out eight.

He got plenty of offensive support, as the Cubs got off to a flying start with the first four batters all hitting successfully to set the early tone.

Chris Pedaris led the Cubs at the plate and was 5-for-5 with three doubles and also scored five runs, while teammate Justin Freitas was 2-for-3 with a double and scored two runs.

Senior catcher Broc Contreras also had a good day, finishing 2-for-4 with two triples and scoring three runs, while also throwing out two of the three Laytonville runners that got on base.

Shevy Bero-Van Meter also had a good day on offense and was 2-for-2 with a run scored, while Travis “T-Bone” Way pitched the fifth inning on just nine pitches to close out the game.

“Very stoked again for Cody that he was able to be successful,” said head coach Chris Contreras, who went deep to his bench after the second inning. “He was pitching really well. He was in the zone keeping the ball down, and our defense was playing well behind him.”

Shawn Schmidt, Luke Genolio and Trevor Hunt each also had a hit in the win.

“I was very pleased with how we played today,” the head coach added. “I’m hoping we can continue that momentum into tomorrow. 

“It’s going to be a tough game. It’s (Ferndale’s) senior day.”

The South Fork coach also had words of praise for Laytonville and head coach Beagle Taylor.

“He’s putting some things together. Hopefully they can do well as they progress in league,” Chris Contreras said. 

The Cubs are currently ranked No. 3 in North Coast Section Division 6, trailing No. 1 Ferndale and No. 2 Point Arena.