Division III: Atherton war seems likely

The distance between Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo School is less than a mile along Valparaiso Avenue in Atherton. By proximity alone, there's a rivalry between them. Mention tuition and the bad blood boils to uncomfortable levels.

Last year, they played a nine-inning nonleague game that ended with a near brawl.

If Saturday's first round goes with the chalk, the top-seeded Knights, winners of CCS Division V and Division VI championships the last two years, will take on the fourth-seeded Gators in the semifinal round.

It would be the rubber game of their season series and a high-stakes game worth watching.

Sacred Heart Prep won a 2-0 contest on the final day of – fittingly enough – the Battle for Atherton, a game that saw them win by collecting just one hit. Menlo took a 3-2 victory in early May.

Menlo, with plenty of home run pop – has the edge offensively, while Sacred Heart has the better pitching staff. That will ultimately decide how far each team goes.

Meanwhile, Carlmont, the No. 7 seed, travels to Hollister and No. 3 Wilcox will host Santa Teresa.

1. Menlo School Knights, Atherton

Record: 17-10 (tied for third in PAL-Bay Division)

Coach: David Trujillo

Offensive Players to Watch: Chuck Wynn (.449 batting average, 11 runs, 9 home runs, 31 RBI); Jack Freehill (.390 batting average, 27 runs, 3 home runs, 26 RBI); Zach Roeder (.425 batting average, 22 runs, 4 home runs, 18 RBI); Matthew Majalya (.365 batting average, 15 runs, 6 home runs, 19 RBI).

Mound Ace: Jackson Flanagan (6 wins, 3.75 earned-run average, 16 Ks in 50.1 innings); Reid Plamondon (4 wins, 3.79 earned-run average, 51 Ks in 48 innings).

What to Expect: This is a battle-tested group when it comes to the CCS tourney. The Knights have a nine-game winning streak in the postseason, the longest run on the Peninsula. Whether they have the pitching depth to make another deep playoff run remains to be seen.

Opening Act: Christopher (13-12)

2. Hollister Haybalers, Hollister

Record: 17-10 (third place in PCAL-Gabilan Division

Coach: Michael Luna

Offensive Players to Watch: Evan Mendoza (.417 batting average, 33 runs, 3 home runs, 24 RBI); Layton Smith (.424 batting average, 24 runs, 23 RBI); Braden Barone (.360 batting average, 29 runs, 3 home runs, 20 RBI).

Mound Ace: Ami Lopez (5-1, 3.63 earned-run average, 46 Ks in 52 innings); Braden Barone (3-2, 4.16 earned-run average, 52 Ks in 38.2 innings).

What to Expect: Hollister is the defending CCS-Division II champion, so it has players who will know what to expect on the bigger stage.

Opening Act: Carlmont (13-14)

3. Wilcox Chargers, Santa Clara

Record: 17-10 (third place in the SCVAL-De Anza Division)

Coach: Matthew Huth

Offensive Players to Watch: Stats are not available, but the Chargers will compete offensively. Samuel Martinez, Gilbert Padilla and Ryan Cabildo are top-of-the-order hitters, while underclassman Preston Jetson has had a strong second half. Bishop Roque and Isaiah Mata are key in the Wilcox attack.

Mound Ace: Eliah Laureles is back. He missed all of April with an injury but is again Wilcox's ace. He beat Capuchino is last year's CCS-Division II semifinal round. That said, he's battle-tested. Sophomore Joshua Porda came up to the varsity and was key in righting the ship until Laureles returned.

What to Expect: The Chargers don't have much power, but they'll execute offensively with a small-ball game that will include steal, bunts and an occasional hit-and-run.

Opening Act: Santa Teresa (15-11)

4. Sacred Heart Prep Gators, Atherton

Record: 20-7 (PAL-Ocean Division champion)

Coach: Sean McMillan

Offensive Players to Watch: Nico Pollioni (.458 batting average, 28 runs, 15 RBI, 18 stolen bases); JP Durrett (.333 batting average, 19 runs, 26 RBI); Drew Parker (.362 batting average, 20 runs, 8 stolen bases).

Mound Ace: Rallin Covey (5-3, 1.01 earned-run average, 87 Ks in 69.1 innings); Kyle Sweeney (8-1, 0.79 earned-run average, 68 Ks in 53.1 innings).

What to Expect: The Gators are built around their pitching. Rallin Covey and Kyle Sweeney will keep them in every game. Finding enough offense is the challenge they appear to have conquered this year.

Opening Act: Aptos (13-8)

5. Aptos Mariners, Aptos

Record: 13-8 (second place in the Santa Cruz Coast League)

Coach: Jason Biancardi

Offensive Players to Watch: Cole McGillicuddy (.508 batting average, 25 runs, 6 home runs, 29 RBI); Damien Espinoza (.344 batting average, 19 runs, 11 RBI); Alex Mendoza (.333 batting average, 23 runs, 14 RBI).

Mound Ace: Cole McGillicuddy (3-2, 3.86 earned-run average, 33 Ks in 29 innings).

What to Expect: Cole McGillicuddy looks like someone you have to account for. It will be fun watching him match up with Rallin Covey's velocity.

Opening Act: Sacred Heart Prep (20-7)

6. Santa Teresa Saints, San Jose

Record: 15-11 (third place in the Mount Hamilton League)

Coach: Jason Washington

Offensive Players to Watch: David Hall (.356 batting average, 24 runs, 18 RBI); Josh Gilbreath (.370 batting average, 23 runs, 2 home runs, 16 RBI); David Medina (.342 batting average, 12 runs, 13 RBI).

Mound Ace: Akaal Mendenhall (6-0, 2.56 earned-run average, 51 Ks in 56.1 innings); Mason Hawk (3-3, 2.77 earned-run average, 37 Ks in 43 innings).

What to Expect: The Saints spent a lot of time on the Peninsula this year, most memorably when Sequoia hit grand slams in the seventh and eighth innings to beat them. They beat Burlingame early and won three of seven games against Peninsula teams.

Opening Act: Wilcox (17-10)

7. Carlmont Scots, Belmont

Record: 13-14 (fourth place, PAL-Bay Division)

Coach: Ryan Hamilton

Offensive Players to Watch: Nate Werbinski (.408 batting average, 16 runs, 13 RBI); Levi Wellman (.380 batting average, 15 runs, 2 home runs, 14 RBI); Ryan Weiss (.325 batting average, 20 runs, 3 home runs, 12 RBI).

Mound Ace: Nate Werbinski (1-2, 3.33 earned-run average, 31 Ks in 42 innings); Jacob Shinseki (6-2, 2.64 earned-run average, 46 Ks in 53 innings).

What to Expect: The Scots were an out away from beating Santa Clara is last year's Division IV opener but a booted grounder and dropped fly ball led to three runs, and they lost in extra innings. There are a few holdovers from last year and they haven't forgotten.

Opening Act: Hollister (17-10)

8. Christopher Cougars, Gilroy

Record: 13-12 (fourth place in Mount Hamilton League)

Coach: Ryan DeQuin

Offensive Players to Watch: Aiden Mojica (.412 batting average, 17 runs, 13 RBI); Jacob Vasquez (.353 batting average, 12 runs, 5 RBI).

Mound Ace: Brayden Rogers (4-4, 2.84 earned-run average, 37 Ks in 61.2 innings).

What to Expect: A No. 8 seed without a lot of firepower is going against top-seeded Menlo, which has won two straight CCS crowns, but has never climbed as high as Division III. Still, we think the Knights are a little more ready for this moment.

Opening Act: Menlo School (17-10)