Not only did the Palisades High baseball team make the City Section’s inaugural Open Division playoffs, the Dolphins were seeded sixth in the team 12-team bracket and host No. 11 Kennedy in the first round today at 3 p.m. at George Robert Field.
“I think our body of work validated a Top Four seed, but you never know what the commitee is ultimately going to value,” Coach Mike Voelkel said. “I’m extremely proud of our kids and we’re excited to play at home. It’ll come down to which team executes better.”
Palisades had a strong case for a Top Four seed and a first-round bye. The Dolphins won the Western League by four games, posted 19 wins against City teams (tied for the most in Division I), had 22 total wins (tied for fourth) and beat three league champions, including top-seeded Cleveland, which shared the West Valley crown with No. 2-seeded Chatsworth. Defending champion Birmingham got seeded third and El Camino Real is No. 4.
Kennedy finished second in the Valley Mission League behind No. 10 San Fernando, but beat the Dolphins 7-4 at the Poly Tournament in February.
Today’s winner travels to Birmingham for a quarterfinal matchup next Thursday.
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