Photo: Steve Galluzzo
When it comes to pitching, the Palisades High baseball team should be able to match any team in the City Section this season and the Dolphins are counting on their depth to take them deep in the playoffs.
The first order of business, however, is defending their Western League title and the Dolphins took their first step towards acheiving that with an 11-1 six-inning rout of LA University on Monday night at George Robert Field.
Palisades improved to 10-2—its best start in 12 seasons under head coach Mike Voelkel—and plays University again tonight at George Robert Field, only this time the Dolphins will be the visiting team.
Jared Brecher got the start Monday and was stellar on the mound, allowing only four hits with eight strikeouts in six innings. Miles Kirshner hit a fly ball to score Conrad Smith with the game-ending run. The Dolphins had eight hits, drew nine walks and stole 12 bases.
“I’ve taken on the role as the No. 3 starter until Will [Coquillard] comes back and I’m just trying to do my part,” Brecher said. “The changeup is normally my go-to pitch and I improved on it a lot over the summer, but it wasn’t working today so I went with the fastball and curve ball. I trust my defense to make plays behind me. I know what kind of pitcher I am and I’ve been able to get a lot of first-pitch outs.”
Palisades shut out Roosevelt last Thursday in the SoCal Invitational behind the pitching of Lucas Braun, who had 12 strikeouts and allowed two hits in six and two-thirds innings. Cord Vanley got the final out.
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