Monta Vista was buzz-sawed by a strong pitching performance in a Division I opener the same day. The Matadors managed just four hits and struck out 10 times while losing 2-0 to Oak Grove at San Jose's PAL Stadium.

Although Los Gatos jumped ahead of Homestead 4-0 in the first inning at Redwood City's Hawes Field, the Mustangs were not discouraged. They scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first, and quickly strung together four hits and a well-placed bunt to tie the game in the second. And, with just one out, the bases were still loaded.

But Homestead's bats went quiet. After a strikeout and ground out allowed Los Gatos to survive the second at 4-4, the Wildcats brought in freshman Lindsay Zullo to pitch. From the third through the seventh Zullo did not allow a base runner, retiring all 15 Mustangs she faced.

After the first inning, Homestead sophomore Melanie Gularte's pitching was almost as impressive. She held Los Gatos scoreless from the second through the fifth. Los Gatos picked up the decisive runs in the sixth on a walk and three singles.

After LG's four-run first, Homestead trimmed the score to 4-2 on RBI singles by Alison MacKay and Stephanie Edwards. In the second Jessica Allemandi singled home Rachel Nishimoto and Kristel Colvin, tying the game.

The Mustangs entered the playoffs as the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division champions. Their 10-2 record was just a bit better than Fremont (9-3) and Saratoga (8-4), the teams that handed the Mustangs their only league losses. Homestead had an overall record of 15-11.

Meanwhile, Monta Vista could get little going during the first five innings against Oak Grove. Sara Chamberlain singled in the second, but was stranded. In the third, junior Shauna Shepard was safe on an error and Jamie Sibilia followed with a bunt single. After Sibilia stole second, the Matadors had runners at second and third with just one out. Again, they were unable to cash in.

Trailing 2-0, the Matadors' final threat occurred after two outs in the sixth. Sarah Taylor was hit by a pitch and Danni Brown singled sharply to left. Pitcher Jessica Iwasaki then singled over the bag at second, but the Oak Grove center fielder made a good play to hold Taylor at third. With the bags filled, Chamberlain lined a ball, but right at the second baseman to end the inning.

Nobody reached for Monta Vista in the seventh, as three infield ground outs closed out the Matadors' fine season. Sherry Spackman's Monta Vista squad finished with an 18-12 record.