Palisades Baseball Shocked by Venice

Doing the "little things" right is usually the difference in big games and that was the case on Tuesday afternoon at George Robert Field.

In a showdown for first place in the Western League, Venice High's baseball team stunned Palisades 4-2 to take sole possession of the top spot. 

It was only the third loss in Palisades' last 50 league games dating back to 2008 when Coach Mike Voelkel took over the program. 

"We made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes that cost us," Voelkel said. "We missed signs, we weren't running the bases well and we were late on our [base] coverages. It comes down to the little things and we didn't execute today."

Venice (8-2, 4-0) took a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning on a double by Wolfie Tash that scored two runs. Palisades (6-8, 4-1) pulled to within 3-2 in the sixth when Chase Holmes singled, stole second and scored on an error, but the Dolphins were retired in order in the seventh. Holmes went two-for-three at the plate.

"We have to respond," Voelkel said. "Maybe a loss like this will wake us up."

The teams meet again Thursday at 3 p.m. at Venice High and a win would give the Dolphins a half-game lead in the standings.

"As the game went along, I was proud that we were playing on even terms with that team," Venice Coach Walter Fujita said. "I have so much respect for Palisades. It's been a number of years since we've beaten them."

Tash doubled to give the Gondoliers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Palisades tied it in the bottom half when Julian Harrison doubled, took third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Elliott Barzilli.  

Palisades starting pitcher Harrison Simon looked out of sync at the beginning, but the sophomore settled down to throw six gutsy innings, striking out four. Alfredo Martin drew a bases-loaded walk that gave the Gondoliers an insurance run in the seventh.

"Give Venice credit, they made the plays when it counted," Palisades Coach Mike Voelkel said. "We have to respond [on Thursday]."

Despite a tough nonleague and tournament schedule that has included games against such powerhouses as San Fernando, Granada Hills, San Pedro, Loyola, Camarillo and defending City Section Division I champion El Camino Real, Voelkel sees plenty of room for improvement.

"We haven't made the progress I expected we would given the quality of teams we've played," Voelkel said. "We haven't had good practices lately and that has something to do with it."

After Thursday's rematch with Venice, Palisades travels to Carson for a Redondo Tournament game at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.