Dolphins Fall One Run Short

Pilots’ Pitcher Hurls Three-Hitter, Gets Timely Defense in City Playoff Opener

Despite how well Banning pitcher Jonathan Hernandez was pitching, it seemed only a matter of time before the Palisades High baseball team touched him for some runs. The sophomore left-hander got himself into several jams but escaped each time thanks to defensive gems and timely strikeouts. In the end, the sophomore lefty pitched well enough for the Pilots to eke out a 1-0 win in the first round of the City Section Division I playoffs Wednesday afternoon at George Robert Field and bring an abrupt end to the Dolphins’ stellar season. Palisades was limited to three hits but had numerous baserunners–and numerous chances to score. “If you don’t score you’re not going to win, it’s that simple,” Palisades Coach Mike Voelkel said. “Twice we had runners on second and third with one out. Twice we had runners on first and second and couldn’t bring them home. The center fielder made a great catch to take away another hit. So we had our opportunities.” Hernandez (8-3) was wild at times, with four strikeouts and three walks, but he made the pitches when he needed them to outduel Dolphins’ ace right-hander Jon Moscot (8-4), who allowed four hits and had six strikeouts. “My plan was to use my fastball and go right after each batter,” Hernandez said. “I was starting to get a little tired in the last inning. When they got a man on I was just trying to make them hit a ground ball.” With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning Ryan Holman drew a walk, then Josh Korn took Hernandez to a 3-2 count before hitting into a 6-4-3 double play. “It’s a tough loss and one that I’m sure our kids will remember for a long time,” Voelkel said. “In a one game situation anything can happen. It’s hard to reflect back now but we had a great season. We accomplished a lot of what we set out to do.” Banning (18-14), seeded 11th out of 16 teams, finished third in the Marine League while No. 6 Palisades (22-10-1) had gone 18-0 in the Western League. “Our schedule definitely helped prepare us for the playoffs,” Banning Coach John Gonzalez said. “We’re used to playing close games like this.” Hernandez singled with one out in the top of the fourth. After a walk and a hit batter, Anthony Salas walked on four pitches to force home Hernandez. One run was all the Pilots needed to end Palisades’ 13-game winning streak and avenge a 3-2 loss to Moscot in the opening round last year. The victory was the Pilots’ 13th in 15 games and snapped Palisades’ 13-game win streak dating back to April 17. Banning was eliminated two days later in the quarterfinals by host No. 3-seeded El Camino Real, which had beaten Palisades 7-2 at the San Diego Lions tournament on April 6. All four teams that reached the City semifinals play in the West Valley League: Granada Hills, Cleveland, ECR and Chatsworth. “Even though we’re the only team [from our league] to make the Division I playoffs four other teams qualified for Division II,” Voelkel said. “I really think the strength of our league as a whole is improving.” Despite its early playoff exit, the Dolphins’ season was all about winning. Palisades captured its sixth consecutive league title–going undefeated in the process–while plating over 200 total runs. The last time the Dolphins failed to win league was in 2003 when they mercied Granada Hills to win the City Invitational championship at Dodger Stadium in longtime coach Russ Howard’s final game.