MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(San Dimas) – Vaughn Coleman hit a grand slam home run and James Rocha did the rest with a complete game shutout as San Dimas beat Paraclete 5-0 Friday in the CIF Division 3 Quarter-Finals.

The Saints scored all of their runs in the second inning off of Paraclete starter Cole Mercier. Aiden Escarcega and Josh Calcanas singled and Jayden Medina beat out a bunt for a hit to load the bases. Jeremiah Holmes hit into a force play at second base to score one run. Jason Almeda then walked to load the bases again. Coleman then stepped in and unloaded on a 1-2 pitch that had enough to clear the left field fence for a grand slam. Just like that it was 5-0 Saints.

Rocha took it from there. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter allowing just four hits. He retired the side in order in the second, fourth and fifth innings and was never really threatened.

Paraclete’s had a golden opportunity in the seventh inning when they had runners on first and second with one out after a hit batter and a single. But Rocha got the second out on a fly ball to center and struck the last batter swinging to end it.

The Saints chased Mercier with one out in the third inning and Jacob Draper came on in relief. San Dimas loaded the bases in the third and ironically Coleman came to the plate. But he hit a one hopper to third base and Paraclete escaped further damage.

The Saints went quietly the rest of the way but the damage had already been done. San Dimas had seven hits overall. Coleman had the big blow and Medina had two hits on the day.

Paraclete finished the season with an overall record of 17-14. The Saints move on to the Semi-Finals where they will face Beckman on Tuesday on the road. Beckman advanced with a five-run seventh inning rally to beat Arrowhead Christian 5-4.

PA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SD 0 5 0 0 0 0 X 5