Among the many reasons why the Gunn High baseball program is enjoying its best season in recent memory is the confidence the Titans exude. After Tuesday's crucial 13-8 win over visiting Lynbrook, which saw both teams combine for three grand slam home runs, Gunn (7-3, 9-9) grabbed sole possession of first place in the competitive SCVAL El Camino Division heading into Thursday's key contest against Saratoga.
Under the leadership of second-year coach Tim Thompson, the Titans have become contenders--not pretenders--and it's due to a potent offensive lineup and a pitching staff that has produced consistent results. But Gunn also possesses a key element needed in all title hunts--supreme confidence.
"Baseball-wise at Gunn, players in the past were waiting for something bad to happen," Thompson said. "But this team believes in themselves and they believe they can play with anyone."
Prior to this week, the Titans suffered two frustrating league losses at Mountain View (6-5) and at Cupertino (7-6 in extra innings). That set up Tuesday's game, which not only was first place but a test of Gunn's poise and resiliency.
After leaping out to a seemingly insurmountable 8-0 first-inning lead, courtesy of two homers by Dave Parke (the second a grand slam) and Mark Grimsrud's three-run blast, Gunn appeared in control. But Lynbrook rallied with with four runs in the second on scratch hits and a fourth-inning grand slam to tie the game at 8-8.
Refusing to wilt, the Titans took the lead for good on a one-out grand slam by junior catcher Tyler Sullivan to right-center field in the bottom of the fourth for a 12-8 advantage. Gunn's first 12 runs were direct results from three home runs, two of them grand slams.
"The two frustrating losses to Mountain View and Cupertino were two of our best-played games of the year, but we didn't get timely hitting," Thompson said this week. "But we got them today and we were mentally ready."
Parke collected four hits for 11 total bases and five RBI against Lynbrook, while Sullivan drove in four runs and Grimsrud had three RBI. Senior Aaron Stienstra (3-1) picked up the win for Gunn by throwing six strong innings.
Thompson believes that only one school from the El Camino Division will make the Central Coast playoffs, which means Gunn will have to win the division to participate in the postseason.
In the SCVAL De Anza Division, Palo Alto (4-5, 9-8) snapped a three-game losing streak to keep its playoff hopes alive. Jeff McGregor pitched six strong innings, striking out nine. Garret D'Antoni doubled and homered and Peter Conlon spanked two doubles and drove in two runs for the Vikings, who play host to Milpitas today at 3:30 p.m.
In the Private Schools Athletic League, Menlo (3-0) plays host to Sacred Heart Prep (3-0) today at 3:30 p.m. with first place at stake. Both teams set up their showdown with lopsided wins this week. Menlo embarrassed visiting Pinewood, 36-3, as Dan Pfefferbaum drove in five runs. Matt Ryan, Ted Curd and Jeff Cunningham each had four hits. Sacred Heart, meanwhile, toppled host Valley Christian-Dublin, 13-4, as Andrew Bragman produced three hits and four RBI. Gymnastics
Gunn scored a school-record 175.55 points, despite having three falls on the beam, to win a triangular meet with San Mateo (154.55) and Palo Alto (85.2). The point total is the highest in the CCS this season. Gunn won the CCS crown last season with a 172.250 score.
Softball
Pinewood junior Kacey Scheppler pitched a masterful one-hitter, struck out 18 in seven innings, and added three hits to keep the Panthers (5-1, 8-5) firmly in second with a 3-0 PSAL win over Redwood Christian.
In the SCVAL El Camino Division, Palo Alto (3-1, 8-7) busted loose for 10 runs in the third inning to outscore winless Saratoga, 16-6. Mia Sibug and Jessie Vernon each had four hits for the Vikings, with Vernon contributing a home run.
In the PAL Ocean Division, junior Gloria Arteaga had two hits, scored both runs and stole six bases, buy it still wasn't enough to prevent Menlo-Atherton (3-2, 5-9) from dropping a 9-2 decision to host El Camino.
In the Girls Private School League, Sacred Heart Prep (2-1, 6-7) got three hits and solid relief pitching from senior Trisha Felts in an 18-2 thumping of Mercy-San Francisco.
Tennis
Menlo School remained undefeated in both the PSAL (6-0) and overall (12-0) by blanking Fremont Christian and host Monterey, 7-0, this week. Menlo-Atherton (9-2) stayed just a half-game behind first-place Mills with a 4-3 victory over Carlmont in a PAL Bay Division match. The Bears lost three singles matches, but swept the doubles.
Track and field
Menlo School senior Damesha Craig showed she's more than just a sprinter as she captured the 100 hurdles (15.88), long jump (16-3 1/2) and 200 meters (25.64) at a league-wide GPSL meet at St. Ignatius.
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