Gorman rallies to win, goes to 2-0 in regional

Bishop Gorman entered the American Legion Western Regional knowing its potent lineup would be hard to keep down for the duration of a nine-inning game.

On Friday, San Bernardino, Calif., found out why.

Gorman, playing as the Southern Nevada Titans, rallied from a four-run deficit entering the seventh inning to post a 7-5 win over San Bernardino and remain undefeated in the tournament at Fairfield, Calif.

The defending national champion Titans (59-12) improved to 2-0 in the eight-team, double-elimination regional. Though they would still play Sunday, a win Saturday would provide an automatic spot in Monday's championship game.

"We were down 2-0, then 5-0. We just didn't panic," Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. "We were having good at-bats and nothing was falling for us. We stuck to our plan, and eventually we got to them."

Jeff Malm keyed the Titans' four-run seventh inning with a two-run double down the right-field line that plated Joey Rickard and Wes Denzler. That came in between RBI singles from Rickard and Erik Van Meetren.

Gorman took the lead in the eighth when T.J. White scored on a single by Rickard, who later came home on a double by Cory Welch.

White was 3-for-4 and Rickard 2-for-5 to lead the Titans.

Malm earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings in which he allowed one hit and struck out two. Gorman starter Rickard lasted seven frames, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts.

Gorman will play at 7 p.m. Saturday against host Fairfield. Though he has not decided on a starter, Sheff said the team's options for Saturday are right-handers Joey Gallo, Welch and White.

"We obviously put ourselves in a good spot," Sheff said. If his team wins Saturday, "no matter if you win or lose Sunday, you're in the championship game."