Truan led the Chargers to three wins last week and gave up only four hits in the three games, allowing only five balls to leave the infield. In the second game of the season against Santa Clara, she fired a no-hitter and missed a perfect game by only two batters--walking one and hitting another. She mowed down 32 opponents on strikeouts during the week.

The Chargers knocked out a 4-0 win over Piedmont Hills, followed that with the 7-0 gem over Santa Clara and then closed out the week edging Independence 2-0.

Although Gron was especially excited to see Truan throwing so well, he was "pleasantly surprised" to see the Chargers "come out hitting and swinging the bats so well and playing good defense" this early in the season. Leland committed only one error in the three-game span and that was a throwing error on a pick-off attempt.

Ashleigh Adams and Christina Saenz started the season off with fireworks in the first inning of the Piedmont Hills game. They ripped back-to-back triples with Saenz driving in Adams. Sara Boring got in on the action, slapping a single to drive in Saenz and finished the day going 2 for 3. That put the Chargers up 2-0 and it was more than enough for Truan to nail down the win.

In the Santa Clara win, Leland had three players with two hits and two with three hits. Sara Adams went 3 for 4, knocking in two runs, and Jessica Talaugon came through with a double and two RBIs in a 3 for 5 day. A. Adams, Saenz and Krysten Rorie all picked up two hits, including a two-bagger for Rorie.

The Chargers had a little tougher time with Independence. The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth when Saenz was able to scamper home on a single by Boring. Saenz, Boring and A. Adams led the way with two hits each in the contest. Saenz also scored Leland's other run in the sixth as Truan slammed the door on the win.

The Chargers begin play in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League on March 22 when they host Branham. They continued to work the early season kinks out with games at Presentation on March 15 and at home against Live Oak on March 17.

Leland will also participate in the annual Charlie Miguel Tournament and defend its 2004 title. Play begins on March 18 and 19 and concludes on March 25 and 26.

It was slow week of action for Pioneer but a good one none-the-less. The Mustangs squeezed out a 1-0 win over Valley Christian in a contest that was filled with solid defensive play by Pioneer.

Center fielder Katie Town made a couple of great catches and third baseman Stephanie Morales dove to pull in a line drive from a fully extended position that was a rally buster.

Catcher Nicki Rebhan showed some real hustle and ended up on the backside of a double play at third base in the fourth inning. With a runner at first, the Valley Christian batter dropped a bunt down the third-base line with Morales charging in to field it and fire a bullet to first to nail the batter. The baserunner from first never slowed down as she rounded second and headed to third on a play designed to catch the defense out of position and napping. Rebhan would have nothing to do with that and was on top of it all the way. On the bunt she sprinted to third, took the relay throw from first and put the tag on the runner for the out, keeping the game scoreless.

The play must have energized the Mustangs. In the bottom half of the inning, Stephanie Habian worked her way on with a walk and used her speed to steal second. Brittney Rivas also used some speed to leg out an infield hit and send Habian to third. Rebhan stepped to the plate and slapped a roller deep into the hole that the shortstop had to eat as Rebhan scampered across first and Habian raced home with what would be the winning run.

Alyssa Walker continued her strong pitching effort, holding Valley Christian to only four hits, and picked up a shutout to even her record at 2-2 on the season.

The Mustangs continued to tune up for BVAL action with non-league games against Gunn on March 15 and Scotts Valley on March 16. Pioneer opens Mt. Hamilton Division play on March 22, hosting Mt. Pleasant at 3:30 p.m.

Branham split a pair on contests in pool play in the Circle of Champions Tournament at Twin Creeks last week. The Bruins opened with a 7-2 win over Palo Alto and then dropped a 9-4 contest to Westmont.

Junior Kelly Griggs was on the mound in both games and was credited with the win and tagged with the loss to move her season record to 2-7.

The Bruins bats were hot against Palo Alto with freshman Michelle Haughey going 2 for 4, including a triple, and junior Brianna Rotondo pounding out three hits in four trips to the plate. Sophomore Audrey Lopez also ripped a three-bagger.

Branham is scheduled to open BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division play on March 22 on the road at Leland.