Carlmont powers to victory

Bologna’s early HR decisive against Menlo-Atherton

Vinny Bologna hit a tworun home run in the bottom of the first inning Friday, and it turned out that was all the Carlmont baseball team needed in a 3-1 win over visiting Menlo-Atherton.

To hear Carlmont coach Rich Vallero tell it, the team’s fans can expect more of the same over the next couple of years from Bologna, who is only a sophomore.

“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Vallero said. “He’s got all five tools. He’s got tremendous power, a plus arm, and he can fly. He hit one in Milpitas that still hasn’t landed. He’s on the pro guys’ radar,”

Right-hander Ryan Giberton made the two-spot stand up. He pitched five shutout innings, improved to 4-1 on the season, and departed after a leadoff double in the sixth. Spencer Stewart went the last two innings and picked up his third save.

“He was really locating well with his fastball,” catcher Connor Loucks said of Giberton. “And he threw his changeup incredibly well. He went out there and competed without his slider, which is normally his best pitch.”

The defense, led by shortstop Aaron Pleschner, a San Jose State commit, made the plays to keep Menlo-Atherton (5-11, 2-4) from seriously threatening.

Carlmont (11-5, 5-3 Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division) is the two-time defending PAL Bay champion. Vallero is happy where his team is at this season, one game behind Sacred Heart Prep in the PAL Bay standings, despite a series of injuries to several of the team’s top players,

“We’re 11-5 and we haven’t played our best baseball yet,” Vallero said.

Joe Pratt, the team’s top pitcher and cleanup hitter, is out with a hamstring injury. Vallero said he is expected back next week. Aaron Albaum, who Vallero says is the team’s best hitter, is out with a broken hand.

“We set the bar high,” Vallero said. “We expect to be there at the end.”

Saratoga 6, Palo Alto 5 (9 innings): Adin Roskoph knocked in thewinning run in the top of the ninth as Saratoga (8-7, 3- 5) swept a two-game SCVAL De Anza Division series with Palo Alto, both by 6- 5 counts. Justin Hull had four hits, including two doubles, for Palo Alto (9- 5, 5- 3).

Milpitas 6, Mountain View 1: James Santos pitched a four-hitter and had a triple with three RBIs to leadMilpitas (12- 4, 5-3 SCVAL De Anza).

Independence 11, Mt. Pleasant 3: David Hodges had four hits and Nikko Nerecina got the win as Independence (11- 4 overall) improved to 11- 0 in BVAL West Valley Division play.

Softball

Pioneer 9, Milpitas 0: Holly Azevedo (15- 0) threw a one-hitter for the undefeated Mustangs. MacKenzie Drake hit three doubles.

Monta Vista 10, Lynbrook 0: Danielle Koontz (6- 3) got the win and Mika Maenaga had three hits and three runs scored forMontaVista (12- 5, 4-1 SCVAL El Camino Division).

Terra Nova 11, MenloAtherton 4: Coralie Ringuette pitched a threehitter with eight strikeouts and Tori Jaques had three hits with two RBIs and two runs scored for Terra Nova (5- 6, 3-2 PAL Ocean).

Boys volleyball

Monta Vista 3, Lynbrook 1: Alex Li had 22 kills to pace theMatadors (19-2, 5-1 SCVAL De Anza).