Branham takes lead in tight baseball race

Arman Sabouri did it again, and now, at least for one day, there is no longer a tie atop the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division baseball standings.

The Branham junior struck out 10 on Tuesday and did not allow an earned run as the Bruins won the first of two games this week against Willow Glen, 2- 1.

The teams play again Thursday at Branham.

The victory left Brahman one game ahead of secondplace Willow Glen, Pioneer and Leigh, two games ahead of Westmont and Live Oak

1 and 2 ⁄ games ahead of Leland

2 and Santa Teresa.

That’s about as tight as you’ll ever see at this point in a season.

“Oh my gosh, it’s been crazy,” said Leland coach Mike Sparrer said, whose team got hot down the stretch and won the Central Coast Section Open Division championship last season.

With the win Tuesday, Sabouri is 10- 1 this season with 83 strikeouts, 11 walks and a 1.13 ERA.

WCAL race widens

St. Francis is starting to separate itself from the pack in the West Catholic Athletic League baseball race. The Lancers beat St. Ignatius on Tuesday to extend their lead to two games, over Valley Christian, Archbishop Mitty and Serra, and three games in the loss column over Bellarmine College Prep.

Serra’s win Tuesday over Mitty was its fifth in a row in league play after an 0- 3 start. But if the Padres want to stay in the race, they know what they have to do — win at St. Francis on Friday.

Track finals

The CCS track and field semifinals and finals will be held again at San Jose City College. The semifinals are May 23 and the finals are May 29.