Palomar Advances Past Fresno City, 7-3

State Championship Brackets

by Dave Silverstein

FRESNO – Palomar College (37-6) starting pitcher Taylor Turski is having a season to remember and even though he may not have had his best stuff - giving up a season high 10 hits and three runs, his teammates came through on offense against Fresno City College's Connor Brogdon.

All the action in the bottom of the second started with one out when Vince Mori led off with a single to right field. Joey Cooper advanced him to second on a ground ball base hit through the left side of the infield. Palomar loaded the bases on an Anthony Balderas walk. Chase Grant followed with a triple just over the outstretched glove of Rams outfielder Daniel Gardner to drive in three runs.

Fresno City (35-10) struck back with two runs in the third inning with two outs when Daniel Gardner and Zack Taylor collected consecutive singles. RJ Hartmann then doubled home both runners off Turski cutting the lead in half.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Fresno scored another run when Cooper touched home on a Chase Grant double. Palomar stuck again with two runs in the fifth on a two-run single by Cooper with two outs. In the inning, Chris Stratton walked and Travis Mitchell's single moved Stratton to second base. Both runs advanced on a Connor Wendoff passed ball on an inside fastball, which set the table for Cooper.

Fresno looked to make a move in the seventh inning when Zack Taylor scored on a base hit off Turski's glove which was then misplayed by Palomar shortstop Dylan Breault allowing the run to score.

Graham Gomez finished up the game for the Comets with some great pitching throwing the final 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball.

The win sends Palomar to the championship semifinals, where they will take on Orange Coast College at 2:00 p.m., with the Rams facing San Joaquin Delta at 10:00 a.m. in an elimination game.