Long and Winding Road

Palmdale travels 85 miles to La Mirada High for a Division II game today, but the Falcons won’t get lost. Coach Lance Pierson knows the way.

While getting his teacher’s credential at Biola University in the late 1980s, Pierson spent six weeks at La Mirada, fulfilling a student-observation requirement.

The tougher part for Palmdale (19-6) is finding a starting pitcher. Matt Harrington (11-0, 0.54 earned-run average) threw 96 pitches in a 6-1, first-round victory over Sultana and won’t pitch today.

Pierson said Brandon MacNeil or Adam Hilzendeger will start.

“We really don’t know yet,” Pierson said. “It depends on our gut feeling.”

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The play of pitcher Jesse Dominguez has propelled Burroughs (16-11) into the second round of the Division III playoffs.

Dominguez (6-4) struck out six and allowed five hits in a 9-0 victory over South Torrance in the first round. He also was the winning pitcher in a 3-2 Foothill League victory over Hart on May 9.

“He’s given us some quality innings,” Coach Jose Valle said. “If we can win [today against Charter Oak], we’ll have him Friday against Westlake or Paso Robles.”

Mike Ysais (5-3) will start today for Burroughs.