By Craig Wentz

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Baseball Wrap Up

his week marks the return of league competition for local high school baseball teams, most of which played outside of league the last week or two due to spring break.

With the season winding down, each game is imperative to teams seeking league titles and/or Central Coast Section playoff berths.

St. Francis, which sits in second place behind Mitty in the fierce West Catholic Athletic League, last week nearly became the first Central Coast Section team to advance to the title game of the prestigious 16-team West Coast Classic.

The Lancers (16-7-1) beat Sparks (Nevada) 10-5 and Foothill (Santa Ana), 3-2 in the first two rounds before succumbing 3-2 to Edison (Huntington Beach) in the semifinals at Santa Clara University’s Buck Shaw Stadium.

After downing Foothill, the Lancers took on Edison a few hours later and fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first inning to tie the game at 2 after six innings. But Edison produced the game-winning run in the top of the seventh via a single, a costly St. Francis throwing error and an RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Danny McCarthy and Jonathan Barsi led the Lancers with a double and two hits, respectively.

In the Foothill game, which St. Francis won with a run in the seventh, starter Adam Turrey (5-0) sparkled from the mound and notched a pair of hits. Josh Lansford doubled.

St. Francis, ranked No. 4 in CCS and 19th in the state, scored seven runs in the final three innings to drill Sparks. Starter John Daul (2-1) earned the win and Dan Graviano garnered two of the Lancers’ 11 hits , including a double.

Jimmy Buckley and Mike Ribero each added a pair of hits for the Lancers, while Barsi contributed two RBIs.

Gunn still in the hunt

Gunn (7-2, 11-2), ranked 10th in the CCS, stayed two games back of Wilcox (12-0, 17-1) in the SCVAL De Anza Division with a dramatic 5-4 triumph over visiting Saratoga in a league matchup at Baylands Athletic Center last week.

The Titans breezed to a 3-0 advantage in the fourth inning and appeared in great shape behind the right-arm of starter Ray Hunter, who allowed no runs and just one hit. After Hunter exited late in the game, the Titans’ bullpen wilted as Saratoga grabbed a 4-3 lead with four runs in the top of the seventh.

Gunn rallied in its final at-bat by loading the bases with no one out, then iced the game on a two-out, RBI single from Hunter.

Greg Matson (5-4) picked up the win in relief for Gunn. Max Kautz and Ricky Navarro had three and two hits, respectively, for the Titans

Mustangs fall to Vikes

Homestead dropped to 5-6 in the SCVAL El Camino Division after a 12-4 setback at Palo Alto last week.

With the contest knotted at 3-3 in the fifth inning, Paly sealed the game with a combined nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Brandon Dougherty blasted a homer and two RBIs for Homestead. Teammates Robbie Hoffman and Bryan Beres each added two hits.

Spartans skunked

In a non-league game on April 18, Palma pounded host Mountain View 10-0.

Spartans starter Brian Frassetti gave up all the runs within the first five innings.

Eagles get a break

Los Altos (7-3, 9-12) had last week off and must put together a string of wins to make the postseason, most likely via an at-large berth.

The Eagles rest in second place in the El Camino Division behind Fremont (12-0).