Chris West fanned 11 in the season opener. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

Community opened the season with a 10-0 drubbing of visiting Boyd Christian behind junior right-hander Chris West, who struck out 11 batters while allowing only two hits in five innings of work.

The Vikings scored one in the first inning before Michael Smith led off the third frame with a single followed by walks to Grant Patterson and Lance Paschal. West helped his own cause with a base hit to drive in two runs and Justin Gaines and Kelby Demonbreum followed suit to plate a total of four runs in the inning.

"The kids came out focused and ready to play today," Community coach Josh Burrahm said. "We put the ball in play and good things happen when you do that.

"I was pleased with our defense and we ran the bases well as a team. Overall, it was just a great way to start the season."

The Purple and Gold struck again in the fifth when Joseph Freeberry got things going with a leadoff single that was followed by hits by Smith, Dustin White, Demonbreum and Gaines in succession to put the game out of reach as the mercy rule was invoked.

Community was led offensively by Smith, Gaines, and Demonbreum with two hits apiece. They finished with 10 hits in the contest with seven different hitters hitting safely.

Bronco pitcher John Burton threw five innings, striking out three while allowing eight walks and a hit batsman.

West picked up the win allowing only three baserunners and only one runner as far as second base in his stint.

"We came out and played the way that we are capable of playing this game every day," Burrahm said. "Now we need to sustain this type of effort on an every day basis, and I think that we have a chance to surprise some people this year.

"This game was a good foundation to build on."

Community travels to McMinnville to take on the Broncos again today at 4.