When the season began, , had lots of potential, but he knew that the road to the top would be long and tough.
Despite the odds, one-third of the way into their schedule, the Dolphins are right where they want to be—leading the Western League standings.
Winning the league has become commonplace for Palisades over the last 10 years, since Voelkel took the reins the Dolphins have been virtually unbeatable in league play, compiling a stunning 46-2 mark over the last four seasons.
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Palisades' latest triumph was Monday's 10-6 victory over Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, one of only two Western League teams not playing Division I in the playoffs this season.
The Dolphins built a 6-1 lead in the first four innings but the Unicorns batted around in the top of the fifth to pull within a run. Palisades answered with three runs in its half of the frame and went on to win for the third time in four games and improve to 3-0 in league.
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The biggest win of the season so far came in last Tuesday night's league opener against Westchester, when the Dolphins rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single by senior first baseman and an error that allowed the winning run to score.
Sophomore right-hander outdueled Westchester senior Robert Gsellman, striking out 11 with one walk and allowing only one run on a single to right field in the second inning.
Two days later, senior right-hander got the road start and Palisades beat the Comets again, 7-1, as Westchester managed just four hits. The Dolphins have outscored the opposition 19-8 in their first three league games.
"This is an important week for us," Voelkel said Monday. "We've been playing pretty good defense and we want to keep our edge in league. That's the most important thing. and are hitting great for us.
Wednesday's nonleague game against reigning City Section Division I champion El Camino Real will be a litmus test of sorts for Palisades (5-6 overall, 3-0 in league), as the Conquistadores of Woodland Hills will be the fifth City opponent from the San Fernando Valley to face the Dolphins this season. So far they are 2-2, defeating Lake Balboa Birmingham and Sun Valley Poly and losing to Granada Hills and San Fernando.
"That's an important game for us," Voelkel said. "Even though it's not a league game, it could factor into seeding position come playoff time so we want to play well."
Palisades resumes league play Thursday with another night game against LACES.
