The Spartans lead the division with a 9-0 record and the Falcons are three games back in the loss column at 5-3. Saratoga plays just one league game this week, but it's an April 6 contest at Mountain View. A win for the Falcons would trim that Mountain View back to two games with eight games to play—one of them against the Spartans.

Saratoga took over second place in the division last week with three wins last week. The Falcons handled Lynbrook 8-4, topped Santa Clara 10-8 and edged Monta Vista 3-2.

Senior hurler Chris Hornberger capped the week with a brilliant pitching performance for Saratoga in the win over the Matadors. Hornberger went the distance to toss a two-hitter, striking out nine along the way, to get the win.

He was touched for single runs in the fourth and seventh, but the Falcons gave him the cushion he needed with a three-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. The big blast in the rally was a home run by Culbertson himself.

Junior Peter Rutti had two hits to lead the Falcons at the plate in the game.

Saratoga had opened the week with the 8-4 win over the Vikings. Rutti had a big day for the Falcons, both on the mound and at the plate. He tossed a completed game for the pitching win, and he also singled and homered to drive in three runs.

Senior Tyler Rothenberg doubled twice for the Falcons in the game.

Viking senior Daniel Barnett belted a solo home run against Saratoga. Jeremy Roberts had three hits for the Vikes.

Lynbrook picked up a single runs in the first two innings, but Saratoga busted loose for four runs in the bottom of the first. The Falcons scored single runs in the third and fourth to lead 6-2, then added two more in the fifth to go up 8-2. The Vikings picked up runs in the sixth and seventh but came up short.

Culberton and Saratoga were able to weather a tough start against Santa Clara to rally for a 10-8 victory. The Bruins unloaded for six runs in the first to take an early lead, but Saratoga chipped away with three in the second, one in the third and four in the fifth to take an 8-6 lead. The Bruins tied it with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Falcons rallied for two in the sixth to grab their margin of victory.

Culbertson had three hits to drive in two runs in the game and he also tossed six and two-thirds innings to get the win. With the two victories last week, he's now 3-1 on the hill for Saratoga this spring.

The Falcons, 6-7 for the year, will head to Stevenson on April 10 for a non-league game before hosting San Benito of Hollister on April 12, 4 p.m., for another non-league test.

Roberts sparks Lynbrook

Lynbrook won its Cupertino Lions opener, 7-5 over Hillsdale of San Mateo.

Roberts and David Byars combined for five hits and five RBI for the Vikings, who led 5-0 after two innings then survived Hillsdale's comeback.

After Hillsdale scored four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to tie the game 5-5, Lynbrook added two runs in the sixth. Then winning pitcher Chris Patterson handed the ball over to reliever Mike Thurman, who earned his second save of the season.