Redondo reached the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals in impressive fashion with a 5-0 win over visiting El Segundo Tuesday afternoon.
Sophomore Danny Zimmerman pitched a three-hit shutout with four strikeouts to lead Redondo (26-7) who will host third-seeded Palm Desert (20-7) Friday at 3:15 p.m.
Marco Valenzuela and Cole Henderson got the Sea Hawks on the board in the second inning. After each hit singles, they advanced on a wild pitch with Valenzuela scoring on a wild throw to third base. Duncan McKinnon drove in Henderson with a single to give Zimmerman all the runs he would need.
Brady Dorn scored from first on a long single by Zimmerman in the third inning and Redondo added two insurance runs in the sixth. After singles by Cooper Gallion and Valenzuela and an intentional walk to McKinnon loaded the bases, a hit batter and walk increased the Sea Hawk’s lead to 5-0.
El Segundo threatened with runners at first and third at two outs in the top of the fifth inning but a strikeout by Zimmerman ended the rally. Willem Mostert pitched 5 2/3 innings for El Segundo surrendering five runs (two earned) and six hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Nick Saucedo led the Eagle’s offense going 2 for 3 with a double.
Redondo won the coin flip and will host its third straight playoff game when Palm Desert invades Memorial Field Friday. The Aztecs are coming off a 9-1 home victory against Ocean View.
Palm Desert is led by shortstop Travis Moniot (.455, 20 RBI, 4 doubles), third baseman Andrew Bash (.362, 28 RBI, 13 doubles) and Nate Lopez (.390).
The Aztec pitching staff is anchored by Jeremiah Estrada (9-2, 0.34 ERA, 69 strikeouts in 61.2 innings) and Bash (8-3, 2.08 ERA, 71 strikeouts in 70 innings).
Results and brackets are available at cifss.org.
