Mustangs triumph, punch ticket to state

STOCKTON — Two different days, two different games, same script for the Delta College baseball team.

Five innings of a pitchers' duel followed by a breakout inning for the Mustangs and then asking the bullpen to hold on. That's how the Mustangs stayed alive Saturday in the California Community College Athletic Association's section regional series against College of San Mateo. They bounced back to win 8-5 in Game 2 in the best-of-three series and forced Sunday's finale.

The Mustangs again, blew up on offense in the sixth inning before holding off the Bulldogs' bats to win the third and deciding game 7-2 at Nick Ceccchetti Field.

It's a victory that gets Delta into the four-team state championship tournament for the fourth time in coach Reed Peters' nine seasons.

"It doesn't get old," Peters said. "We had to work a little harder to do it this time. We faced elimination and got some good performances at the right time."

The state tournament take place Saturday through Monday at Fresno City College.

The Mustangs (39-5) went with No. 3 starting pitcher Ricky Delgado against the pieced-together staff of the Bulldogs that was largely spent by Sunday. Main starters Sam Hellinger and Devin Mahoney had already gone, leaving San Mateo (30-12) a group of relievers that were also a bit worn.

Jonny Palsha threw Friday and Saturday and started on the mound Sunday. He went two innings without giving up a run, spelled by Cameron Greenough.

Greenough was solid until the sixth when he hit a batter to lead off the inning and then walked the next. Two hits, a walk and an error later and Delta turned a 1-1 ball game into a 6-1 lead.

Nate Easley drove in the go-ahead run on a single to center field and two more runs scored on a throwing error. Lance Berringer grounded a ball to the short stop who bounced a throw past first base and into the fence. Two runs would score and then two more scored on a double by Nelson Muniz.

"It was one tough inning and that's what can happen sometimes," San Mateo coach Sam Williams said. "Plus, they pitched well and deserve credit. They deserve it."

Easley added another run in the seventh inning with another single and finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Berringer was 1-for-5 with a RBI. Jacob Thomas was 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Ryan Smith went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Delgado, a UC Riverside commit, got the win by going 61/3 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. He struck out seven batters and didn't walk anyone.

"It was all or nothing and I love that," Delgado said. "I love that kind of pressure and I just trusted in the pitch calling of my coach."

Delta followed with little-used left-hander Tucker McPhaul the final 22/3 innings and he was as sharp as Peters has seen him this year. McPhaul didn't allow a hit with three strikeouts and one walk.

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photo by Mark Godi