Delta Defeats Palomar, To Face OCC In State Title Game
by Dave Silverstein
FRESNO – On the strength of their 14-7 win over Palomar College in an elimination game at John Euless Ballpark Sunday evening, San Joaquin Delta College gets another crack at the CCCAA State Championship. The Mustangs (41-6) will be facing Orange Coast College for the second year in a row for the title, with the Pirates winning the championship in 2014. The two teams met up in their first game of the state tournament, with OCC posting a 5-0 win.
The Pirates need just one win to secure their second straight title, and sixth in school history. The Mustangs, who won the title in 2011, are looking for their second.
In eliminating the Comets (37-8), Delta broke the game open with six runs in the first inning and added six more in the third for an early 12-1 lead. In the first inning, Nelson Muniz clubbed a two-run home run – his first of the season – while Collin Theroux added a two-run double, which chased starting pitcher Tyler Russell (5-1).
Lance Berringer posted a two-run single in the third inning, while Theroux, Ryan Smith, Zack Perugi and Nate Easly each brought home a run.
Ricky Delgado was cruising through the first four innings, but surrendered five runs to the Comets in the fifth inning. Anthony Balderas drove in two with a double, with Vince Mori and Alec Salcedo each driving in a run. Delgado was pulled before the end of the fifth inning, and Bradford Sabol (2-0) earned the win, with Matt Huss picking up his fourth save with three innings of relief work.