Santa Barbara High starting pitcher Jeff Paschke rallied the Dons with his bat, driving in three runs in the final two innings as the Dons defeated host Redlands 6-3 in the first round of the CIF Division-2 playoffs.
Paschke pitched five innings and earned the victory thanks to his two-run double in the sixth inning that gave the Dons a 4-3 lead. Paschke hit another run-scoring double in the seventh inning as Santa Barbara scored five of its six runs in the final two innings.
Connor McManigal relieved Paschke in the bottom of the sixth inning and earned the save with two scoreless innings.
The Dons advance to Tuesday’s second round where they will host Suburban League champion La Mirada at Eddie Mathews Field.
