Passaic Tech managed just three hits in its first-round baseball state playoff game against Randolph. But the Bulldogs got solid pitching of their own, and cashed in on their scoring chances to oust the defending sectional champions, 3-2.

Raphiel Santos and Joel Palanco combined on a four-hitter for Passaic Tech. Winning pitcher Santos allowed one run over the first five innings, but tired in the sixth. Palanco came in to get two key outs with the bases loaded to preserve the lead, then finished off the game for the save.

Randolph pitcher David Sacco struck out nine batters over six innings. Of the three hits he allowed, two did not leave the infield.

But Passaic Tech managed to use two hits, a walk and a hit batsman to score twice in the first inning. Isaac Pichardo delivered a two-run single for the Bulldogs. Then in the third, Juan Reina reached on an infield hit and scored on Polanco's sacrifice fly.

Sixth-seeded Passaic Tech moves on to face Roxbury, the third seed in the North 1, Group IV bracket. The Bulldogs are now 14-9.

Randolph, the 11th seed, falls to 10-14.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey state tournament high school baseball game, click play in the box at left.