Division V: Is an Ocean final looming?

If there is any justice in the high school baseball world, the favorites win and we are treated to a Division V final featuring No. 2 Half Moon Bay and No. 1 San Mateo.

Kai Kung against Christian Louie. Two of the best lefties – both seniors – on the Peninsula. But in order for that two happen, each of them will have to win two games, beginning Saturday.

The Bearcats and Cougars are two of this season's better stories. Each entered the 2026 with little expected. But inside their own camps, each liked their chances. Each believed they had the chance to compete for an PAL-Ocean Division crown.

In the end, the championship went to Sacred Heart Prep, but Half Moon Bay and San Mateo tied for second by stringing together impressive runs this season. The Bearcats won 12-15 games going into May, while the Cougars are currently riding a nine-game winning streak and are considered one of the hotter teams on the Peninsula.

San Mateo swept a series from Half Moon Bay in April, but we'd love to see one more game.

1. San Mateo Bearcats, San Mateo

Record: 19-8 (tied for second place in the PAL-Ocean Division)

Coach: Neal Goldstein

Offensive Players to Watch: Tyce Copus (.340 batting average, 25 runs, 14 stolen bases); Hudson Brandt (.369 batting average, 19 runs, 15 RBI); Christian Louie (.280 batting average, 18 runs, 11 RBI).

Mound Ace: Christian Louie (4-4, 1.80 earned-run average, 96 Ks in 54.1 innings); Jesus Olivas (8-2, 2.36 earned-run average, 76 Ks in 56.1 innings).

What to Expect: Christian Louie has proven himself as an elite high school pitcher. We think the Bearcats have the easier side of the bracket and have enough pitching (don't forger Jesus Olivas) to find their way into the title game.

Opening Act: Salinas (10-18)

2. Half Moon Bay Cougars, Half Moon Bay

Record: 17-9 (tied for second in PAL-Ocean Division)

Coach: Brian Anderson

Offensive Players to Watch: Riley Jackson (.415 batting average, 23 runs, 3 home runs, 18 RBI); Paxton Holden (.338 batting average, 13 runs, 16 RBI; Clark Colucci (.288 batting average, 17 RBI).

Mound Ace: Kai Kung (10-1, 0.79 earned-run average, 93 Ks in 71 innings); Paxton Holden (2-2, 2.37 earned-run average).

What to Expect: Kai Kung has been great this year. So has Riley Jackson, who leads the Peninsula in on-base percentage. Don't look past Homestead, which was battle tested by three games each against teams like Wilcox, Palo Alto and Los Gatos.

Opening Act: Homestead (12-16)

3. Ann Sobrato Bulldogs, Morgan Hill

Record: 18-8 (Santa Teresa League champion)

Coach: James Pozas

Offensive Players to Watch: Hunter Rubbo (.473 batting average, 30 runs, 26 RBI; Aidan Flores (.296 batting average, 26 runs, 13 RBI); Ashton Fagan (.432 batting average, 16 runs, 34 RBI); Jackson Raines (.354 batting average, 17 runs, 13 RBI).

Mound Ace: Eesa Tovar (3-0, 4.20 earned-run average, 45 Ks in 53.1 innings); Liam Bettencourt (2-1, 2.92 earned-run average, 42 Ks in 48 innings).

What to Expect: This is a team that jumped on Bellarmine earlier this month with a six-run inning. The Bulldogs have some pop. Beware of Hunter Rubbo.

Opening Act: Stevenson (17-7)

4. Live Oak Acorns, Morgan Hill

Record: 14-12-1 (second place, Santa Teresa League)

Coach: Felipe Castellanos

Offensive Players to Watch: Noah Baquiran (.494 batting average, 19 runs scored, 4 home runs, 25 RBI); Brody Costa (.348 batting average, 18 runs, 16 RBI); Nathan Bergstrom (.360 batting average, 19 runs, 9 RBI).

Mound Ace: Jack Rice (4-1, 2.37 earned-run average, 223 Ks. in 38.1 innings).

What to Expect: Noah Baquiran is a hitter who needs to be accounted for.

Opening Act: St. Francis (8-18-1)

5. St. Francis Sharks, Watsonville

Record: 8-18-1 (fifth place in PCAL-Gabilan Division)

Coach: Ken Nakagawa

Offensive Players to Watch: Noah Magana (.418 batting average, 14 runs, 30 RBI); Nicky Fantl (.378 batting average, 31 runs, 23 RBI).

Mound Ace: Angelo Urabe Chavez (1-0, 4.07 earned-run average, 44 Ks in 43 innings).

What to Expect: The Sharks can hit the ball, but their pitching appears to be suspect.

Opening Act: Live Oak (14-12-1)

6. Stevenson Pirates, Pebble Beach

Record: 17-7 (PCAL Mission League champion)

Coach: Nick Wilcox

Offensive Players to Watch: Phinn Thomas (.462 batting average, 27 runs, 3 home runs, 23 RBI); Reggie Bell (.492 batting average, 25 runs, 18 RBI); Jacob Hall (.435 batting average, 33 runs, 5 home runs, 30 RBI); Jonah Krasa (.395 batting average, 15 runs, 27 RBI).

Mound Ace: Jacob Hall (8-0, 0.68 earned-run average, 78 Ks in 51 innings).

What to Expect: Beware these Pirates, who look like they might have been underseeded in the same way Santa Clara was last year in the Division IV bracket. With two players signed to play at UC-Davis, this is a team to watch.

Opening Act: Ann Sobrato (18-8)

7. Homestead Mustangs, Cupertino

Record: 12-16 (fifth place, SCVAL-De Anza Division)

Coach: Travis Sunseri

Offensive Players to Watch: Drew Hamburger (.442 batting average, 26 runs, 3 home runs, 23 RBI); Ivan Hwang (.373 batting average, 16 runs, 4 home runs, 24 RBI); Howard Cheng (.338 batting average, 12 runs, 15 RBI).

Mound Ace: Jayden Duong (3-3, 3.18 earned-run average, 34 Ks in 39.2 innings).

What to Expect: Drew Hamburger is one of the best hitters on the Peninsula. He's signed to play at Washington University of St. Louis. Don't let the record fool you. They Mustangs will compete.

Opening Act: Half Moon Bay (12-16)

8. Salinas Cowboys, Salinas

Record: 10-18 (sixth place PCAL-Gabilan Division)

Coach: Nate Sevier

Offensive Players to Watch: Zachary Velasquez (.364 batting average, 10 runs, 15 RBI); Gavin Rainey (.350 batting average, 17 runs, 13 RBI); Quentin Dominguez (.351 batting average, 19 runs, 15 RBI).

Mound Ace: Zachary Velasquez (4-5, 1.83 earned-run average, 58 Ks in 57.1 innings).

What to Expect: The Cowboys were the sixth-place team in a top-heavy league that includes Carmel, the top seed in the Division II bracket. They've seen good teams and good pitching. They won't be overwhelmed by San Mateo.

Opening Act: San Mateo (19-8).