After going 14-2 in the Private Schools Athletic League with a seniorless team in 2003, "the Knights expect to contend for a league title," Raia says. "With six returning all-league players, we expect to make a run for our first PSAL title."

Among those six all-PSAL competitors are seniors Andrew Biederman, Matt Gustafson and Mike Perez. All three have sparkled as the Knights have won four of their first seven games.

Biederman belted a two-run triple and pitched three innings to earn the mound decision in a 13-7 King's win over Capuchino last week. Biederman's younger brother, sophomore Tim, had three hits and three RBI for the Knights, who gave up five runs in the top of the second inning, but answered with 10 in the bottom of the frame.

Gustafson banged out three hits and drove in five runs in a 12-3 triumph over Redwood Christian of San Lorenzo. Perez, who banged out 11 hits and scored 10 runs in the first seven games, goes into a home game Thursday against Willow Glen with a .500 batting average.

Junior Jason Linn, another of the returning all-leaguers, had two base hits against Capuchino. He also came in to retire the last four Capuchino batters to pick up the save. He struck out three.

Infielder Bryan Lind and outfielder Tyson Kornely, both seniors, were other all-leaguers in 2003. Lind accounted for three of the Knights' four runs during a 4-3 win over Rio Vista in the Modesto Christian Classic. Lind drove in two runs and scored another. Perez was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in the win.

Two of the Knights' three losses have been to perennial Central Coast Section baseball powers St. Francis and Wilcox. The Knights, who battled Wilcox before losing a 1-0 no-hitter, also have scheduled Leigh, Homestead and Valley Christian, all teams that often get to the CCS play-offs.

Four other seniors, catcher Larry Witkovski, Daniel Raia, Jeff Chan and Dan Efting, return for the Knights. Four newcomers, up from the junior varsity, are juniors David Norris, A.J. Ghiossi and Jordan McDonald and Tim Biederman.

Fremont picked a good time to win its first game of the season—in its opener in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. The Firebirds scored two runs in the last of the sixth to go ahead by two runs, then held on for a 6-5 win against visiting Los Altos last Friday.

Senior Joe Cortijo drove in two runs for the Firebirds, who won for the first time in six games. Sophomore Nathan Cathcart had two of Fremont's five hits and senior third baseman Chris Knopf legged out a double. Kevin Brahney, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, was the winning pitcher.

Barkley wins at K-Bell

Fremont senior Matthew Barkley, who placed third in the shot put at the CCS meet last May, won the event at the 20th K-Bell Track Classic March 13 at Los Gatos High School. Barkley's winning heave was 57-4.5.

Kelly Bushnell, a junior shot putter for the Firebirds' girls team, placed third with an effort of 36-11.

Fremont golfers win

Michael Naomi's 3-over par 38 paced Fremont's golf team to a 10-stroke victory over Gunn. The Firebirds improved their record to 2-3 with a 219-229 nine-hole win at Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course last Thursday.