Sports wrap Sports wrap (April 22, 2005)

Los Altos baseball finally earns a win

Two months into the season, the Los Altos baseball team was finally able to secure its first win.

Behind a complete game thrown by senior Troy Haury, the visiting Eagles rolled to a 3-2 victory over Milpitas on Apr. 15. Haury struck out six batters and allowed just three hits.

Sophomores Kellen McColl and Kyle Tachibana led the Los Altos offense with a home run and two hits, respectively.

By starting five sophomores in the challenging De Anza Division, the Eagles knew they had a steep learning curve, but they hope they are beginning to see the fruits of this rebuilding campaign.

"Every one of those sophomores is starting and playing every game for us," said Los Altos coach Sandy Wihtol. "The next couple of years are going to be very good."

With the first win taking the monkey off their back, the Eagles (1-13, 1-8 De Anza) can settle down and use their remaining nine games for more on-the-job training.

Los Altos will have a chance to make it two straight against Milpitas, as it hosts the Trojans on Apr. 22.

MV falls to LA in badminton

Be it on the football field, the baseball diamond or the tennis court, any competition between Mountain View and Los Altos is hotly contested. When the crosstown rivalry reached the badminton court on Apr. 14, the Eagles emerged victorious with a 24-20 win.

Los Altos (7-1) pulled through in part thanks to its victories in both the boys and girls No. 1 singles matches. Eric Osborne defeated the Spartans Prashant Rai 15-9, 15-5, while Olga Lyhova beat Robin Lanam 15-5, 15-12.

With three matches remaining, the Eagles have their sights set on the El Camino Division title. Los Altos continues its quest with a match at Fremont on Apr. 26.

Mountain View (3-6) hosts Los Gatos on Apr. 26.

Eagle track girls get first win, boys still unbeaten

Despite ample success by a number of its individual athletes, the Los Altos girls track and field team found its first victory elusive, with close losses in recent meets.

That changed when the visiting Eagles (1-4) put together the whole package in a 69-58 victory over Gunn on Apr. 14.

A trio of sophomores led the way. Bria Nelson (200-meter and 400-meter dashes), Kristen Rowsey (300-meter hurdles) and Louise Goupil (100-meter hurdles) all finished first in their events. Senior Cathyrn Watanabe continued her fine season with a victory in the triple jump.

The Los Altos boys maintained their perfect record with a 83-38 romp over Gunn. The Eagles (5-0) were again led by multiple event-winners Eric Hersey (110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles), Dana McDaniel (100-meter and 200-meter dashes) and Jeff Clark (high jump and triple jump).

Los Altos hosts Lynbrook on Apr. 28.

St. Francis softball has roller coaster week

Playing three games in six days, the St. Francis girls softball team experienced firsthand how unpredictable the highly competitive West Catholic Athletic League can be.

The Lancers suffered a blowout loss to league-leader Mitty, registering just one hit while allowing 14 in an 8-0 road stumble on Apr. 13.

St. Francis followed up with a 4-3 victory over St. Ignatius in a pitchers' duel at Foothill on Apr. 15. The teams managed a combined five hits while committing five errors.

The Lancers offense exploded against host Sacred Heart Cathedral, registering both a 12- and a seven-run inning in a 22-1 shellacking on Apr. 18. Seniors Kim Mooney and Easton Henrickson each hit a home run, a triple and a double, and combined for 12 RBIs in the rout. Junior Sara Kamenski held the Fightin' Irish hitless.

St. Francis (10-6, 3-3 WCAL) hosts Notre Dame-Belmont at Foothill on Apr. 22.
--Scott Campbell

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