I always find the second game of the baseball playoffs the most interesting. I remember a few years back watching Temple City’s big stud Ryan Tucker pitch game one, pitch game two (started a new week), throw three innings in game three, and come back to start in the semifinals (game four) because it’s a new week again. Your No. 1 pitcher can almost carry you to the championship game if that’s what you choose to do. Division IV hasn’t played since last Thursday, so what do teams like Northview, Bishop Amat and San Dimas due on Tuesday? Do they stay with their No.1’s or go to their No 2’s like a normal week. Even teams that played Friday have the same decision, especially a team like Sierra Vista, who has a No. 1 in Christian Huerta that could carry them a few rounds. These are do-or-die scenarios, so expect the best to be on the hill if they’re available?

Below: The Northview-St. Paul game is a perfect example, will Vikings coach Darren Murphy stay with Eric Ruvalcaba (pictured below), who threw a shutout in the first round or go to left Eddie Pedroza? The same is true for St. Paul, do they stay with No. 1 Gabe Encinas, or take their chances with hard-throwing Chris Wilson, the former South Hills Covina resident who knows the Vikings well? Decisions, Decisions.