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Rocklin's test vs. Burbank is no pop quiz
By Quwan Spears - qspears@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:03 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
It was a mismatch on paper. It turned out to be a different story on the field.
As expected, defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division II baseball champion Rocklin won its first-round playoff game over Burbank.
But the Thunder didn't anticipate a competitive game against the Titans, who were making their first playoff appearance in recent memory. Rocklin won 16-8 at Sacramento City College's Union Stadium on Wednesday.
"Burbank came to play, and they battled like crazy," Rocklin coach Roc Murray said.
So much so that the Thunder had to rally from an 8-7 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning to advance to the semifinals. Rocklin will play either Ponderosa or Rosemont in a best-of-three series starting Monday.
Senior first baseman Kyle Hudspeth and senior left field Jake Orozco made the Thunder's (18-9) advancement possible. Hudspeth hit a two-run ground-rule double and Orozco a three-run triple, highlighting a nine-run sixth inning.
"That was two key hits for us," Murray said.
Despite the loss, it was a memorable moment for the Titans (10-17), who finished 1-20 in 2006 and had only two players with significant playing experience in senior third baseman-pitcher Jose Sanchez and junior pitcher-utilityman Miles Freeman.
"We felt we definitely had nothing to lose," Titans coach Alex DuPaty said. "Even though we were playing the best team in D-II according to last year's record, we felt that if we played hard, played solid defense and got a few hits, we could give them a game, and we did."
The only thing missing from the Titans' attack was depth, especially on the mound. Rocklin used five pitchers to slow down the Titans. Burbank countered with three, including Freeman, who tired during the Thunder's nine-run sixth.
He gave up three consecutive hits, including Hudspeth's ground-rule double to start the inning.
"If we had a couple of more arms, we might have held them down a little bit," DuPaty said. "But Rocklin is a good team. They really swing the bat well."
Murray liked the way Burbank played, too.
"No question depth was the difference," he said. "But let me tell you something. Those Burbank kids played hard and worked hard."
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's Quwan Spears, (916) 326-5517.
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