Tyler Peck earned yet another complete-game victory as the Giants waited until the bottom of the 7th to defeat Branson in the semi-final round of the MCAL Playoffs in a tight battle with a score of 2-1. Branson came out fast, scoring in the top of the 1st supported by a loud crowd and an equally supportive bench. The Giants hit shots all over the ballpark, highlighted by a Eric Doctor single back through the box and a Parker Laret blast to right, but most of their solid contact resulted in fantastic plays by the Branson defense as they held Redwood scoreless through 5. In the top of the 6th, Redwood rallied when Aaron Dorfler walked and stole 2nd. The throw from the catcher took the shortstop into the path of Dorfler and the ensuing contact sent the ball to short left field allowing Dorfler to advance to 3rd. Devon Pence laid down a perfect safety squeeze, scoring Dorfler from 3rd. Tie game. Branson led off the top of the 7th with a single and they sacrificed the runner to 2nd. Branson pitcher, Sam Reinertson, who was 1-2 on the day was intentionally walked putting the double play in order. Tyler Peck was able to close out the inning with a fly out to Riley Overend and a ground-out to Devon Pence. Adam Hussain led off the bottom of the 7th inning by reaching 1st on an error. Adam stole 2nd and was knocked to 3rd on a grounder to the right side by Zach Cohen. After another ground-out, Aaron Dorfler came up with the winning run on 3rd and 2 outs.

Dorfler hit a hard grounder up the middle just beyond the reach of Branson’s shortstop, scoring Hussain from 3rd. Dorfler said, “I thought the shortstop was going to get it, so I put my head down and ran as hard as I could. Next thing I knew, I saw Adam score and everyone running at me from the dugout.” Redwood again received props from the opposing head coach after the game as Branson’s coach Brain Pollzzie said to the IJ “…(Tyler’s) a winner, Mike’s a winner, Redwood knows how to win.  They have a very opportunistic offense.”  The Giants will face the winner of the Drake Marin Catholic game on Saturday night at Albert’s Park.