The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.

Last season, College of San Mateo’s regional baseball playoff series at Santa Rosa Junior College went south in a hurry. That was before Jonny Palsha came to town.

Up one game in the best-of-three series after Palsha’s relief win Friday, the freshman emerged Saturday in the eighth inning of Game 2 to relieve starter Devin Mahoney. Palsha retired all five batters he faced to save a 4-1 win for the Bulldogs.

With the win, CSM advances to the final round of the Northern California regional playoffs. The No. 5-seed Bulldogs will travel to top-seed Delta Friday. The winner of the three-game playoff advances to the state championship tournament May 23-25.

In last year’s regional matchup, CSM won the opening game at Santa Rosa and took a 4-3 lead into the eighth of Game 2. But the Bear Cubs rallied to win it before eliminating CSM in Game 3. Saturday, however, CSM slammed the door.

Mahoney turned in his second consecutive quality start. The sophomore left-hander worked 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits. His record improves to 6-1.

In the eighth inning, however, CSM held a 2-0 lead when Mahoney yielded a one-out double to Bryce Nagata. With the heart of the Santa Rosa order due up, Palsha emerged,surrendering a steal of third and a sac fly, but escaped the inning with the a 2-1 lead.

CSM rallied for two runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game on ice. Tyler Carlson had the big knock, a two-out, two-run single to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 cushion.

Ryan Krainz, Miles Mastrobuoni and Makana Lyman recorded two hits apiece for CSM.