Wildcats Charge Into Final Four
Arvada West’s baseball squad clinched a spot in the Class 5A state Final Four on Thursday, downing Pine Creek 9‑2 at All‑Star Park. Junior right‑hander Cooper Vais delivered 11 strikeouts and retired the final 20 batters he faced, sealing a nine‑run outing that featured a perfect defensive stretch.
The win extended the Wildcats’ unbeaten run to 22 games, a streak that has propelled them to the top of the state rankings. They are scheduled to meet No. 3 Regis Jesuit at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, again at All‑Star Park, a matchup that pits a 21‑6 Regis team against a Wildcats side riding high on confidence.
Earlier in the day, A‑West escaped a scare against Chatfield. Starter Brayden Reiner left the mound after being struck by a line drive but returned in the fifth inning to finish the game, throwing 89 pitches and improving to 10‑0 on the season. His resilience helped the Wildcats pull ahead with a 3‑run burst in the third and a 2‑run triple from Reiner in the fifth that put them up 7‑2.
Senior Keegan Millikan anchored the defense, going 4‑for‑4 and making a series of key plays that epitomized the team’s collective effort. Offensively, Cameron Thornton contributed two RBI singles, while sophomore Holden Goodrich added a pair of home runs, including a solo shot, to fuel the nine‑hit attack.
Coach Danny Vais, father of Cooper, stressed the importance of staying focused for the upcoming Regis clash, noting that the team’s depth and pitching depth will be tested against a formidable opponent. The Wildcats’ blend of dominant arms, timely hitting and steady defense has them poised for a deep run in the tournament.