Palma-St. Francis baseball

Central Coast Section Division III Semifinals

Wednesday's game

No. 4 Palma (16-11) vs. No. 1 St. Francis, Watsonville (19-7)  at Washington Park, Santa Clara, 7 p.m.

 Having benefitting from playing in the Gabilan Division, the Chieftains came into the postseason battled tested, blanking Terra Nova 6-0 on Saturday.

 Of course, it does not hurt having the best pitcher in the Division III playoffs in University of Cal bound San Stoutenborough, who gave up just one hit in the quarterfinals.

 While Stoutenborough could be used Wednesday on a limited basis, the Chieftains will need another arm or two against a St. Francis lineup that scored nine runs in beating Pinewood.

 While the Sharks hit just .258 as a team during the regular season, Derric Estrada-Haro has packed a punch at the plate with four homers, leading the team in runs batted in with 24.

 St. Francis sports a 2.25 team earned run average. Chas Watkins will likely get the start, having won five games this spring with an ERA of 1.83.

 Stoutenborough has been one of Palma's run-producing bats this year, along with Dominic Scattini and his .398 average, and Vince Flores, who is hitting .322 with a team high 23 RBI.

 The Sharks, who will join the Pacific Coast Athletic League next fall, have made six straight playoff appearances in three different divisions. They have never faced Palma.