Birmingham’s second straight City Baseball final at Dodger Stadium is ‘unfinished business’ – Daily News

Birmingham celebrates after defeating Palisades 5-1 during a City Section Open Division preseason baseball semifinal game at Dedeaux Field on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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It was not more than 15 minutes after Birmingham Charter’s Daniel Flores threw a no-hitter at USC’s Dedeaux Field on Wednesday to lead the 5-1 semifinals win over Palisades.

The finale was a nice nod to an amazing individual performance, but it also sparked a new focus when Flores knew the Patriots (22-8) would take on Carson (18-10-1) at Dodger Stadium in the LA City finals Section Open Division on Saturday at 1 p.m

It is the second year in a row that Birmingham have played in the Open final, having been beaten 2-0 by Chatsworth last spring.

“It’s a pending matter,” Flores said simply.

Mr No Hitter. Daniel Flores from Birmingham. pic.twitter.com/J1OU2Ipy9m

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) May 25, 2023

It will be the program’s eleventh City Finals appearance and fifth Open Finals appearance in the past six seasons (there was no postseason in 2020 due to the pandemic). Birmingham are aiming for the program’s eighth City title.

The semifinals win came without standout catcher Gavin Taylor, a standout BYU senior who attended a tryout with the Atlanta Braves that challenged his eligibility to play. Birmingham manager Matt Mowry kept Taylor out which seemed to increase the side’s focus.

“I just had to remind these guys that we’re not just one guy,” Mowry said. “We have people who can move up and do a good job.”

Taylor made a public comment on Twitter addressing the decision to attend the trial.

“I was misinformed about a situation that made me extremely happy … I was unaware of the high school rules but I take full responsibility for my consequences and my actions,” Taylor’s tweet read. “I would like to apologize to my coaching staff, the Birmingham community and most importantly my teammates.”

Daniel Flores’ no-hitter against Palisades gives Birmingham baseball its fifth City Open final since 2017

Birmingham are expected to pit Kaden Taque, the Cal conscript, against Carson, who defeated two West Valley League teams in El Camino Real (2-1) and Granada Hills (3-2) to secure the first Open Division Final of the program reached. Carson has made six City Finals but has never won the last game of the season. The Colts’ last appearance was in the 2018 Division I Finals at Dodger Stadium.

“All year I’ve been telling them if you play your game, no one in town will beat you. “We’re still not done,” Carson coach Steven Manqueros said Wednesday after beating Granada Hills at USC.

INFORMATION ABOUT DODGER STADIUM

Dodger Stadium gates open to fans at 9:00 am. General admission is $15. Students with ID and seniors are $10. Tickets are sold at the left field gate. Children up to four years have free entry. All tickets must be purchased at the ballpark with a debit or credit card only. no cash

Parking at the stadium (entrance from Vin Scully Avenue) is free and has a clear bag policy.

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