Baseball: It's time for the No. 2 pitchers to shine

The second round of the Southern Section baseball playoffs are set for Tuesday, and for most schools, it's time for the No. 2 pitchers to show what they have.

No team can win a championship relying on just an ace pitcher, particularly in Divisions 1 and 2. Some teams will try to come back with their No. 1 pitchers on three or four days rest, but that's only postponing the inevitable moment when the No. 2 pitcher has to sink or swim.

Newbury Park is mostly likely going to use its ace, Luke Eubank (9-0), on three days rest in a road game against El Toro. That's going to be a big challenge for Eubank, but he threw only 73 pitches on Friday in a win over Long Beach Wilson.

One of the best Division 1 games figures to be Vista Murrieta-Orange Lutheran at Hart Park. In Division II, Alta Loma at Garden Grove Pacifica ought to be a close one.

At this point, the pressure begins to rise, and teams look to find any way to survive and play another day.

-- Eric Sondheimer