VICTORY

Gators’ third baseman charging to the plate there was no one at third base and the ball sailed into left field allowing Stroup to score.

Golden sophomore Luca Casali led off the top of the sixth inning with a single and would score on a sacrifice fly by junior Kohei Shimada to put the Demons up 2-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning.

“We need to get going earlier,” Casali said of the Demons’ offense. “Once we get going we are a team that keeps rolling.”

With Rasmussen being relieved in the top of the seventh inning, the Demons took advantage. A pair of hit-by-pitches, an error and a walk set the table for Casali and Shimada to both deliver 2-run hits to give Golden a 7-1 lead on Standley Lake (4-8, 0-3). “We got some clutch hits there in the end,” McBroom said. “That is what we like to see.”

Golden had only put up eight runs in the first three starts Palmer had this season. The Demons did put up 10 runs in Palmer’s first start in a league start, but McBroom would like to see more run support for Palmer who had thrown 31 innings with 55 strikeouts so far this season.

“I don’t want him (Palmer) to go out there and throw that many pitches,” McBroom said of Palmer throwing over 100 pitches in the complete-game win. “When he is on the bump we have to do a better job offensively so he can keep his pitch-count down and keep him healthy as the season goes on.”

Palmer has faith that the Demons will start to catch fire in his future starts.

“I know we’ll get them eventually,” Palmer said. “I’ve seen all of these guys. It comes down to really wanting in and having confidence up there.”

McBroom had that Palmer’s growth in his mental approach on the mound and his confidence has given the 6-foot-5 hardthrowing righty the ability to improve on his junior campaign where he had a 7-4 record with a 2.33 ERA.

“If feels good winning,” Palmer said. “If I have to go all seven innings I’ll do it.”

Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Jeffco Public Schools. For more Jeffco coverage, go to CHSAANow.com.