Pitcher Lucas Braun had nine strikeouts in seven innings and smacked a double in Palisades’ 2-0 loss to Kennedy last Saturday in a Tiger Classic game at George Robert Field. Photo: Steve Galluzzo
Pali High Baseball Blanked by Kennedy in Tiger Classic Finale
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Last spring, the Palisades High baseball team’s season came to an end in a 2-0 defeat to Granada Hills Kennedy in the first round of the City Section’s inaugural Open Division playoffs at George Robert Field.
The Dolphins had a chance to avenge that bitter loss last Saturday in their final game of the Tiger Classic, but instead the Cougars escaped with yet another 2-0 road victory, this time in nine innings.
Joel Castillo slid home from third on a safety squeeze in the top of the ninth, the Cougars pushed across an insurance run later in the frame and pitcher Vince Esparza closed the door in the bottom half to deal Palisades its fourth shutout loss of the season.
Lucas Braun was stellar on the mound for the Dolphins, going seven innings with nine strikeouts, one walk and allowing only two hits. He also smashed a double for one of Palisades’ four hits.
The Dolphins were confident after back-to-back five-inning victories over Western League rival Fairfax in which they outscored the Lions 31-1.
Palisades was 20-6 entering this week’s home-and-home versus Venice and remains in position to earn an Open berth as one of the City’s 12 best teams. Of the 28 Division I schools, only San Pedro has more wins than the Dolphins.
