CCS Focus (CA): Quarter-Final Update Pt 2

Central Coast Section, CA - The Open Quarter-Finals saw two games get pushed to Monday allowing me to catch the matchup between 1-seed Valley Christian and 8-seed Palo Alto. The game showed off two of the best pitchers in the Central Coast Section and a future PAC-12 matchup as Valley Christian sent 19 RHP Steven Zobac (Cal Commit) to the hill and Palo Alto sent 19 RHP Joshua Kasevich (Oregon Commit). The pitching duel lived up to the hype with 5 hits between the two teams and two errors being the difference for scoring.

Palo Alto started the game hot when 2021 SS Zander Darby hit a sharp single into LCF. The LF put a late dive on the ball causing it to get by him and to the wall allowing Darby to make it to third base. 2021 C Aidan Berger hit a sharp one-hop at the first-baseman who went home cutting off the run.

A textbook 6-4-3 double play ended the inning and the threat of offense from Palo Alto as Zobac didn’t allow another hit for 5 innings.

Valley Christian got on the board when 2020 OF Eddie Park started the game with a single right back through the middle and Zobac walked. A weakly hit ground ball started what should have been an inning ending double-play but Zobac went hard into 2nd and a throwing error allowed Park to come around for an unearned run. Valley Christian added two more in the 2nd when 2020 2B Jack McGrew started the inning with a double into LF on a first-pitch FB getting to 3rd on an error from the SS setting up a 1st & 3rd situation. 2021 SS Trevor Haskins doubled into LF bringing in one and setting up a 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. A sac fly from Park into foul territory in LF made it 3-0, but Haskins was thrown out trying to get to 3rd ending the inning.

Kasevich got stronger as the game went along working quickly through the 3rd and 4th innings before walking Park with 2 outs in the 5th. A wild pitch, passed ball and questionable balk call would make it 4-0. Kasevich showed a four-pitch mix and better feel of his pitches as he stayed out on the hill. He showed real feel for pitching being able to switch sequences as he went through the lineup and continuing to attack the zone against a strong lineup. It was a very impressive performance in a losing effort. Valley Christian moves on to the Semi-Finals to face WCAL rival Serra, who won their Quarter-Final matchup against Santa Cruz.

Players of Note:

2019 RHP Steven Zobac (Valley Christian) - Cal Commit. Zobac showed why he’s been the Ace of the team going 6 strong, striking out 8, and giving up a hit to start the game with only three other baserunners reaching (HBP, BB, E) past 1st.

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