Gabe Grandcolas kept Santa Barbara High on top in Tuesday’s Division 2 CIF Wild-Card game with visiting Pasadena, as the Dons never trailed in a complete-game effort from their junior left-hander.
Santa Barbara recorded a 5-1 victory at Eddie Mathews Field and will now travel to Redlands High School on Friday for a first-round game.
Grandcolas scattered seven hits and struck out four batters without issuing a walk. Grandcolas stands at 6-2 on the season.
The Dons’ offense broke through with three runs in the fifth inning. Connor McManigal doubled home the first run and scored the second on an RBI single from Johnny Brontsema.
Jeff Paschke knocked in two runs in the sixth inning with his second double of the game.
Summer Smith led Pasadena (13-14) with three hits.
This is the 15th straight season in which Santa Barbara High has reached CIF’s postseason. They have won their playoff opener in all but one of those years.
