West Seattle baseball team sent a signal to the league Friday after a 15-5 mercy-rule win over Cleveland Friday afternoon. They’re in the hunt.

It was the Wildcats’ (3-1-1) second mercy-rule win this season following last week’s 12-0 drubbing of Rainier Beach. But West Seattle head coach Velko Vitalich isn’t ready to judge his team’s real strength.

“Rainier Beach and Cleveland are inexperienced teams, and they’re trying to establish programs,” Vitalich said.

West Seattle starter Jamie Maples struck out five in two innings of work. With a secure lead, Vitalich sent relievers Jordan Paskett and Daniel Kemp to finish the last four innings. Vitalich said he was conserving his pitching rotation for a crowded upcoming schedule.

“We have a game Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All hard games. So we’ve got to space out the pitching and see how that goes. Trying to save some arm,” Vitalich said.

Cleveland pitcher Jack House had control problems all afternoon, and the Eagles had trouble fielding any sharply hit ball.

Although West Seattle rose far above Cleveland, Vitalich was disappointed in his own team’s fielding,

West Seattle plays Sedro Woolley at Safeco Field at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.