Palm Desert Baseball Advances to CIF Finals

For the second straight playoff game, Palm Desert needed a last-inning miracle. 

This time, the Aztecs scored twice with two outs in the seventh, to upend Westlake Village Oaks Christian 2-1 and advance to the CIF Division IV Championship game. 

With Palm Desert’s Brooks Kriske on third, senior Cody Kabeary hit a sharp grounder that Lions’ second baseman Blake McFadden had trouble getting to.  McFadden’s rushed throw pulled the first baseman off the bag for an error. Kriske scored on the throw, and the Aztecs were back in the CIF Finals. 

“I was looking to shoot the ball up the middle," Kabeary said. “When I saw the first baseman come off and I heard safe, I didn’t believe it.” 

Palm Desert head coach Darol Salazar said he saw it coming.

“He [Oaks Christian pitcher Tyler Radke] was getting tired and he was losing command,'' Salazar said. "I knew we could do it, we just had to execute and we did it. There’s not a ounce of quit in those kids and I’m proud of them.” 

The visiting Lions grabbed the lead in the top of the first on back-to-back doubles by Brandon Evans and Trevor Gretzky. Aztec starter Kaz Halcovich then settled in and let his defense do the work the rest of the way, allowing just six hits and one walk in the complete game win.  

“I knew that if I just kept getting it out in front of them,” the right-handed senior said. “They were going to get themselves out. I didn’t need to be overpowering and strike everyone out.  And they got themselves out, and I got out of jams.” 

Oaks had gotten runners in scoring position on three other occasions, all with one out, but Palm Desert’s defense was able to keep any runner from advancing. 

The Aztecs nearly tied the game in the fifth against Radke, when a sharp grounder by Kabeary bounced off Lions third baseman Cole Taylor, and trickled into foul territory. Palm Desert’s Dave Schuknecht sprinted home from third, but alert shortstop Drew Hacker scooped up the ball and fired home well ahead of Schuknecht.  Pinch hitter Brian Serven then flew out to end the inning. 

The Aztec seventh started with a walk to John Schuknecht. After a fly out and a
strikeout, Brooks Kriske delivered his second hit of the game, a booming double
that bounced from the glove of the Lions' left fielder, allowing Schuknecht to
score the tying run. 

Kabeary’s error inducing ground ball then ended the game, and put the Aztecs back in the CIF Championship.  

“We’ve been working hard all season for this” said Kabeary.  “We expected to be there, we wanted to be there.” 

And now they are there.  

Palm Desert’s chance to repeat as CIF baseball champions will be at Dodger Stadium on Friday.  First pitch is set for 4:30pm.

General admission tickets are $10, students with ID and children are $5.
Parking will be free.