YAKIMA – West Valley senior and two-time CBBN Pitcher of the Year Rhyse Elder committed to San Francisco after a weekend visit to the West Coast Conference school.

Elder was 8-1 with a 2.09 earned-run average for the Rams, who were the only Class 4A team to finish the regular season unbeaten. The right-hander struck out 80 batters in 51 2/3 innings, while walking just 11 batters.

He also was solid at the plate, batting better than .300 with three home runs and 18 RBI. He capped a season sweep of league rival Moses Lake with two-run home runs in each game.

The Dons finished third in the WCC, virtually tied with Pacific for second behind Gonzaga, which is joining the Pac-12.

West Valley completed its second straight undefeated run through the CBBN under head coach Brooks Archer.

The team has placed several players at college programs. Elder’s commitment comes after fellow West Valley seniors Colton Worley and Ryan Rhoads pledged to play at Whitworth and Yakima Valley College, respectively.

CBBN MVP Colby Graham, who graduated last spring, will play at Whitworth, while fellow class of 2026 standout Alex Morales is headed to Central Washington.

Selah senior Braxton Young, a standout shortstop and clutch pitcher for the Vikings, will stay close to home, committing to Yakima Valley.

Young keyed Selah’s run to a district championship, and a berth in the Class 2A state final four in Bellingham.