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It may still look like rain outside, and it may still feel like winter, but as far as local high school baseball teams are concerned spring has sprung.
The Leland, Branham and Pioneer squads are not only playing baseball already, they're opening league play this week.
The Chargers and Bruins are each members of the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and faced two games apiece this week.
Leland was to open the league season at home against Oak Grove on March 2, and the Chargers will travel to Oak Grove on March 4. The following week they play Leigh twice--March 9 at home and March 11 at Leigh. All games begin at 3:30 p.m.
The Chargers opened the season with solid wins over Piedmont Hills (11-2) and Lynbrook (9-3). Their only loss thus far was an 8-4 defeat at the hands of powerhouse Wilcox, the De Anza Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League champion.
The Chargers boast a solid corps of returners this spring with seniors Stephen Akerson, Kyle Jones, Andrew Kim, Damon Ronsville and Gabe Castaneda and junior Danny Dyer. Pitcher Kevin Battipede and catcher Steve Henry are top players coming up from the frosh-soph. Other key players include junior pitcher Matt Slaton, sophomore infielders Lance Gemette and Alex Todd and freshman outfielder Nate Jones.
Branham gets its league start this week with two games against Santa Teresa. The Bruins were to host the Saints on March 2 and will head to Santa Teresa on March 4. Next week, the Bruins will play two against Westmont--March 9 at home and March 11 on the road. Again, all games begin at 3:30 p.m.
Branham moves up to the Mt. Hamilton Division this season.
Seniors Eric Janssen, Nolan Robison, Louis Sakoda. T.J. DeStefano, Mitch Kanagaki and Preston Ward are top returners from last year's championship team. Duce Ferrante is a key player coming up from the frosh-soph squad.
Pioneer will open play in the Santa Teresa Division of the BVAL this week when the Mustangs host Silver Creek on March 4, 3:30 p.m. The Mustangs will hit the road next week to visit Independence on March 8 and Lincoln on March 10, both games at 3:30 p.m.
Pioneer opened the season with three tough losses in the Mission City Classic Tournament. The Mustangs lost 10-1 to Santa Cruz, 5-1 to Santa Clara and 10-1 to Wilcox. But they snapped the losing streak with an impressive 4-3 victory over Santa Teresa of the Mt. Hamilton Division.
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