Palm Desert Baseball Goes Back to CIF Finals

The Palm Desert Aztecs didn't celebrate much when they got a CIF Semi-finals win, because its something they've gotten used to.

The Aztecs return to the CIF title game for a third straight year after beating Monrovia 3-0 Tuesday night at Aztec Field.

Junior Brian Serven once again came up big in the post-season, firing a three-hit shutout, and driving in two runs with a booming double in the Aztec third inning.

"It's probably the biggest game we've had all year," Serven said. "It felt good to help the team like I could,  Its just a great feeling playing in a big game like this and going back to the Championship game."

Palm Desert got to Wildcat starter Chris Burkholder in the third inning by playing small ball. With Chris Drake on second base after a single, and a sacrifice bunt, the top of the order came around do to the damage.

Senior Jonathan Serven smacked a single up the middle and off the glove of a diving shortstop David Perez that allowed Drake to score the game's first run. 

Two batters later, USC-bound senior Brooks Kriske drew a walk before Brian Serven's booming double to left brought home his brother and Kriske for a 3-0 lead that would be more than enough.

Monrovia's best scoring chance came in the 5th inning, when Chris Burkholder drilled a leadoff single and promptly stole second base.   With one out, Brad Felty's base hit  to shallow right got Burkholder to third.  Sophomore Nick Carino tried then to squeeze Burkholder home, but the bunt was hit hard to charging third baseman Jacob Clark who easly gunned down Burkholder.

With the win, Palm Desert goes to the CIF Division 4 Championship on Saturday against Temple City. Game time at UC-Riverside is 7:30 p.m.