Here is a brief look at the CCS Division 2 baseball semifinals:
No. 2 Palma vs No. 3 Burlingame
Wednesday 7:00 pm
Sollecito Ballpark (Monterey)
How they got here: Palma never trailed, scoring three runs en route to a 9-2 victory over Palo Alto in the first round. Junior Dylan Rocchi went 2-for-3 with a home run and 4 RBIs to back junior Zach Gonzales, who allowed just five hits, two runs and no walks over six innings.
Burlingame got a strong pitching performance from junior Mark O’Grady, who went the distance on a five-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Leigh. O’Grady also reached base three times and scored a run in the decisive fifth inning, where senior Slade Flores drove in both runs with a two-run double.
Previous meetings: None.
Outlook: Senior Gabe Serrano (3-1, 2.26 ERA) should get the call for Palma, with junior Daniel MacMillan (5-4, 4.95 ERA) the likely starter for Burlingame. Palma, the PCAL-Gabilan runner-up comes in on a six-game winning streak, while Burlingame, the PAL-Bay champs, have won four in a row.
No. 1 Carmel vs No. 5 Archbishop Mitty
Tuesday 7:00
Sollecito Ballpark (Monterey)
How they got here: Carmel scored six runs in the third inning to roll to an 8-4 win over Menlo-Atherton in the first round. Junior Alex Hirschfield and senior Sean Carr each homered and drove in two runs as the Padres scored eight runs on just four hits. Senior Matt Maxon picked up the win with nine strikeouts over five innings.
After being swept in the regular season by Sacred Heart Cathedral, Archbishop Mitty exacted a measure of revenge with a 4-2 win in the first round. Junior Jay Kim got the win with 3 solid innings of work and senior Jonah Ferrell closed the game with 3 2/3 shutout innings for the save.
Previous meetings: None.
Outlook: Mitty is in the semifinals despite finishing just 4-10 in the WCAL; the Monarchs will likely go with a combination of pitchers to throw at Carmel, the PCAL-Gabilan champs. The Padres could counter with sophomore Kenny Sanchez (5-0, 1.94 ERA), who worked two innings against Menlo-Atherton Saturday.
